The Cleveland Browns engaged in a full-fledged battle for the starting quarterback job for much of the offseason. Eventually, new head coach Todd Monken gave the nod to Deshaun Watson, leaving Shedeur Sanders as the odd man out.
Right now, he’s designated as the QB2. But for some fans, he inevitably becomes one of the names that the team eliminates when cutting down to the official 53-man roster.
Shedeur Sanders Isn’t a Long Term Answer for the Browns
Last season, Sanders got playing time for the first time in Week 11. Keeping the starting role for the rest of the year, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns, ranking second-to-last on PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric.
But with no real alternative, the Browns let him go toe-to-toe with Watson for the starting QB role. Now that the team is going forward with the three-time Pro Bowler, his preseason performance has left some fans skeptical about his place on the roster.
“Shedeur Sanders will be gone by 4 pm,” one fan claimed. And it wasn’t hard to see why. Playing in two out of their three preseason games, he had tallied 153 passing yards and a touchdown against 2 interceptions.
Shedeur Sanders will be gone by 4pm.
— connor (@6_OHMode) August 29, 2026
On the other hand, Dillon Gabriel had 186 yards and 3 touchdowns in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots. But even Taylen Green left fans impressed after a 30-yard scramble showed off his dual-threat capabilities.
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As a result, another fan predicted, “Shocking Prediction: Shedeur Sanders gets cut before Sunday.”
Another fan went into detail about what the team should be doing, although he knew his first suggestion would fall on deaf ears: “Browns should cut Watson, but they’re too stupid to do that. Green has some potential; they shouldn’t cut him. They should cut Sanders or Gabriel or trade one of them. Dillon Gabriel is better than Shedeur Sanders based on what I saw in the preseason.”
Browns should cut Watson, but they’re too stupid to do that, Green has some potential, they shouldn’t cut him. They should cut Sanders or Gabriel or trade one of them. Dillon Gabriel is better than Shedeur Sanders based on what I saw in the preseason
— Masked Phantom (@MaskedPhantom05) August 29, 2026
Throughout the offseason, the assumption has been that the Browns will run this season out and likely find their long-term franchise cornerstone in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, one fan wanted to curse them so that it would not come to fruition.
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“I pray they trade away Sanders… And keep Gabriel… then not be able to grab [Arch] Manning or [CJ] Carr as the football gods would not allow these players to be sent to this franchise.”
It remains to be seen how the team approaches its official roster, particularly at the most important position in the sport. But for a loud section of the fan base, it looks like Sanders isn’t an option they want on the roster anymore.
