The Cleveland Browns are still working out their quarterback situation. Veteran signal-caller Deshaun Watson has returned from injury and is looking to reclaim the starting job. However, young quarterback Shedeur Sanders may have a case to win it himself.
Browns Slammed by Local Radio Host over Shedeur Sanders Treatment
Sanders was one of three quarterbacks to take snaps under center for the Browns last season. He was one of the most promising options to do so, as well. His upside was known heading into his draft year, and though the season went poorly, the Colorado product showed glimpses of greatness.
The Browns are not expected to do much in the 2026 season. With this in mind, handing the reins over to Sanders would make a lot of sense. However, Cleveland may not be looking to give their former fifth-round pick that sort of opportunity.
ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo appeared on “The Really Big Show” on Wednesday morning. During this show, Rizzo and his co-host responded to an ESPN discussion claiming the Browns were not trying to develop Sanders as a potential starting quarterback. Rizzo used this to vent frustration with how the team has treated the young signal-caller.
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“All these kids, their team gets behind them. They try to develop them. They give them the most amount of reps,” Rizzo said. “They’re not handing anyone a job, I’m not asking for that. But to say that he’s been treated fairly here, I’m sorry, it’s ridiculous.”
“He ain’t being developed here,” Rizzo continued. “I don’t know who in the building doesn’t believe in him, but someone doesn’t. I still don’t know why we drafted him if this is how you were going to treat this kid.”
“I still don’t know why they drafted him if this is how you were going to treat this kid,” – Rizz on the Browns and Shedeur Sanders. https://t.co/mbgt38sIdh pic.twitter.com/bVFBpUyBz3
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 19, 2026
Sanders finished with the second-worst impact score (63.0) in the NFL last year, according to PFN’s QB Impact Metric. He was still one of the better options under center for the Browns. He threw for 1,400 yards, the only Cleveland QB to do so, and had 7 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
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Cleveland does have another young quarterback (Dillon Gabriel) on the roster. He threw for slightly under 1,000 yards, tossing 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Gabriel had the third-worst QB impact score, one point above Sanders’ mark.
The Browns have some tough decisions to make before Week 1. But there is certainly frustration in Cleveland over how Sanders is being handled. We’ll see if the Colorado product can carve out a role before the 2026 season kicks off in September.
