The Browns’ quarterback room has been one of the most talked-about topics of the offseason. With five signal-callers currently on the roster, at least two are unlikely to make the final 53-man squad.
One of those fighting for a spot is fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. According to one analyst, even if Sanders makes the roster and eventually becomes the starter, he still might not be part of the team’s long-term plans.
Analyst Warns that Shedeur Sanders Might Not Be in the Browns’ Future Plans
Shedeur Sanders entered the 2025 NFL Draft as a projected first-round selection and potential top-10 pick. Despite the high expectations, the former Colorado Buffalo quarterback slid to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns eventually selected him.
Sanders now enters training camp as one of five quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster, alongside veterans Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, and fellow draftee Dillon Gabriel.
All smiles between Joe Flacco & Shedeur Sanders at Mandatory Mini Camp! 😁 #DawgPound
Via:(@JoriEpstein) pic.twitter.com/4t6LmSshYw
— STAMPEDE (@stampedeftbl) June 10, 2025
Sanders will need an outstanding training camp just to make the roster, and an even more impressive performance to earn the starting quarterback role.
Even if Sanders can do all that, Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna explains that he might still not be in Cleveland’s future plans.
“If he somehow leaps past Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, Sanders will have to worry about next year,” McKenna wrote. “Even if he plays serviceably, there’s no guarantee he’s Cleveland’s future at QB.”
If Sanders were to take over as Cleveland’s starting quarterback and have a solid season, why wouldn’t the Browns continue with him as their starter? McKenna believes it is because of the potentially stacked quarterback class in the 2026 NFL draft.
“The 2026 draft will offer plenty of quarterbacks, and, potentially under a new head coach, the Browns would be in position to draft one,” McKenna wrote.
Why Might the Browns Replace Sanders with a 2026 Quarterback Prospect?
As McKenna points out, if head coach Kevin Stefanski has another losing season in 2025-2026, Cleveland could choose to move on. A new coach would have no ties to Sanders and might want a fresh start at quarterback for the 2026-2027 season.
As it stands right now, the 2026 NFL Draft could be producing some high-level talent at quarterback.
Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Nussmeier, and Fernando Mendoza are already generating first-round buzz.
If the Browns have another losing season and are in a position to draft one of the top prospects, they likely wouldn’t hesitate to move on from Sanders, whom they only spent a fifth-round pick on.
To McKenna’s point, Sanders must shatter expectations to secure his future in Cleveland. First, he must earn the starting job in training camp, which is a significant challenge on its own.
While much of this is hypothetical, it is not out of the question that Sanders may no longer be a Brown by the start of the 2026-2027 season.
