Cleveland Browns’ QB Plans Leak, And It’s Not Looking Good For Shedeur Sanders
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly targeting two big-name quarterbacks this offseason, suggesting that they don’t view Shedeur Sanders as a long-term starter.
Shedeur Sanders entered the 2025 NFL Draft as a projected first-round pick. But in what of the most stunning draft falls in league history, Sanders wasn’t taken until round five (No. 144) overall by Cleveland.
Though Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl, he certainly looked more like a rookie than a seasoned veteran. Sanders completed just 56.6 percent of pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference.
Unfortunately for Sanders, it already sounds like the Browns are looking to upgrade at quarterback in 2026.
Browns reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic predicts that Green Bay Packers pending free agent Malik Willis will be Cleveland’s No. 1 quarterback priority. Plan B, Jackson believes, would be a trade for Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson.
My opinion on the Browns’ plans
1. Try to sign Malik Willis to be the starter
2. Trade for Anthony Richardson and add him to the May – TBD competition for the starting job
3. Any other plan as of right now https://t.co/oSMhvznjsh
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) February 26, 2026
On Thursday, news broke that the Colts and Anthony Richardson are working on a trade to give the No. 4 pick of 2023 a fresh start.
If Browns Don’t Land Willis, Shedeur Sanders Still As A Path To QB1 Job
Willis will cost a pretty penny in free agency. If Cleveland signs him, the former 2022 third-round pick will certainly be the Week 1 starter. Should Willis sign elsewhere? That would bode well for Sanders.
Cleveland is unlikely to use either of its first-round picks on a quarterback, considering how weak the class is outside of likely No. 1 selection Fernando Mendoza. If they brought in someone like Richardson? The latter would have to compete for the starting job.
So, the Sanders era in Cleveland isn’t totally over just yet. If the Browns don’t get Willis, the quarterback competition should be wide open this summer. Plus, it’s not like Cleveland gave Sanders the best supporting cast to work with as a rookie.
