Shock was the only word to describe the Cleveland Browns’ decision to name Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback after the drama in the second week of the preseason. But the choice has also left many fans disgruntled with how the team is treating Shedeur Sanders.
A relatively clean rep during his time with the organization, alongside a solid showing in the preseason, has left many people convinced that he was the better choice to be QB1. As a result, fans are starting to plead with the second-generation star to request a trade.
Shedeur Sanders Needs to Get Out From Under the Browns
Drafted with the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders took a while before he got the starting nod as a rookie. Unfortunately, his showings were far from stellar, as he finished second-to-last on PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric.
Still, with no other alternative, new head coach Todd Monken was ready to give him a shot at the starting position, depending on a battle with Watson. Things didn’t work out for Sanders there either, as all signs pointed to the three-time Pro Bowler winning the role.
Then, a disastrous showing in the second week of the preseason and some incendiary comments against his own fan base derailed any momentum Watson might have had. It seemed all but certain that the Browns would not be naming him the starter anymore.
However, at the risk of alienating their entire fan base, they chose to move forward with him anyway. Now, some of Sanders’ biggest supporters are understandably upset. That vitriol landed them on social media, where they wanted a change of scenery for the second-year quarterback.
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PFN’s deputy editor Alex Kennedy offered advice to the former Colorado star and wrote, “Shedeur Sanders needs to get the hell out of Cleveland ASAP.”
Shedeur Sanders needs to get the hell out of Cleveland ASAP.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) August 24, 2026
“Shedeur, demand a trade, it’s time,” was a popular sentiment all across the internet, given the choice the Browns had made.
Named the backup for the time being, some argued that the team needed to make that decision and “Trade Shedeur.”
Trade shedeur
— 8thProgenitor (@thekingsmind8) August 24, 2026
Given his unique situation as a sixth-round pick trying to establish himself in the league, one fan believed that the team wasn’t being fair to him. “Man, the Browns need to trade Shedeur. Wasting his time fr.”
But throughout the timeline, calls for a trade demand were undeniable. “Shedeur Sanders should demand a trade #Browns.”
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The choice to name Watson as the starter seemed like a bad idea on its own, given his war against the fans.
They slow. I’ve seen enough. Trade Shedeur https://t.co/oesRZSzntR
— DJ Wave Chappelle 🌊 (@DJDiveIn) August 24, 2026
However, some argued that Sanders should have had the role from the outset. Calling the Browns “slow,” one fan claimed, “They slow. I’ve seen enough. Trade Shedeur.”
Another fan came to a similar conclusion, adding, “Shedeur deserves the starting job. At this point, just trade him.”
Shedeur deserves the starting job. At this point just trade him.
— MylesX (@mississippimyle) August 24, 2026
For some, though, the entire process had exposed the Browns. One fan called them out, claiming, “A clown show, trade Shedeur, please.”
Some were even theorizing where the youngster could end up next, with one fan suggesting, “Shedeur (should) ask for a trade to the [Atlanta] Falcons.”
Shedeur deserves the starting job. At this point just trade him.
— MylesX (@mississippimyle) August 24, 2026
With Michael Penix Jr. recovering from an injury and Tua Tagovailoa not looking like a viable option, perhaps the Colorado product could have a renaissance if he reunites with Kevin Stefanski on a new roster.
It was impossible to argue against the support Sanders had received since the news came out. While not the perfect choice for QB1, he seemed like the far better option for the Browns.
Between the fans outright rejecting Watson and his four-year tenure with the team being downright bad, the higher upside with Sanders seemed like the clear-cut choice for the team. As a result, some areas of the fan base wanted the next best thing.
