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Shedeur Sanders
QB · CLE

Shedeur Sanders

Position QB
Team CLE
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Shedeur Sanders

NFL player. Position: QB. Team: CLE.

Quick Facts

  • Position: QB
  • Team: CLE (Cleveland Browns)
  • Draft: 5th round, 144th overall, 2025 NFL Draft
  • College: Colorado

2026 Outlook

Sanders is competing with Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns' starting QB role heading into the 2026 season. His rookie year showed modest on-field production (1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs in 7 starts, 3-4 record) after beginning the season as a backup. However, Sanders has distinguished himself off the field as a marketing phenomenon, earning a reported $17.7 million in NFLPA Group Licensing Income in 2025—breaking Tom Brady's previous record of $9.5 million—demonstrating elite brand-building ability for a fifth-round rookie. (per Shedeur Sanders earns reported $17.7 million in licensing income in 2025, breaking Tom Brady's record)

In late March, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam praised Sanders' dedication to NFL preparation, noting Sanders spent most of the offseason in Cleveland working out early and was responsive to the demands of QB play. Haslam said Sanders "got an education in that" (referring to the difficulty of playing NFL QB) but showed signs of responsiveness: "His body looks better...my instincts are he'll come back ready to play" (per Jimmy Haslam says Shedeur Sanders 'got an education' on how to excel in the NFL, and...).

At late May OTAs, the competition with Watson remains deadlocked. OC Travis Switzer said neither QB has pulled ahead, with both splitting first-team reps and making equal progress on Todd Monken's system installation. (per Cleveland Browns News and Rumors May 29, 2026: Nobody Is Ahead, Which Is Somehow Progress)

By early June, Sanders had begun trending upward. NFL insider Cameron Wolfe reported Sanders has impressed the Browns coaching staff over recent weeks at OTAs, with particular praise for his processing and decision-making improvements as he progresses down the field. Wolfe noted sources used the word "aura" to describe Sanders' impact, and HC Todd Monken—who initially wanted a decision before training camp—has pushed back the timeline, possibly due to Sanders' strong work. (per Shedeur Sanders' 'aura' has Browns rethinking QB race as $230m competition heats up)

Monken has publicly stated both Sanders and Watson are "starting-level quarterbacks" and that he "leans one way or the other" with the QBs daily at OTAs. At mandatory minicamp in early June, Monken confirmed the QB competition will "bleed into training camp" rather than being decided by the end of minicamp. Monken said both have "played well enough to earn the right to compete" and that he'll need to see full pads and preseason games before making a final decision. (per Browns HC Todd Monken Not Interested in QB Brendan Sorsby; Latest On Team's QB Competition, Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders QB competition will likely bleed into training camp)

Minicamp reality check (June 10): At the final day of mandatory minicamp, Monken flatly stated: "I'm not going to name a No. 1." Sanders got first-team reps on June 9, while Watson took the second team on the same day, with reps continuing to rotate. Monken emphasized both quarterbacks "functioned at a high level" and that he hasn't seen enough separation to decide. Without pads or live scrimmages, the decision will stretch into and possibly through training camp. While ESPN's Jeremy Fowler views Watson as having the inside track, Sanders' "aura" and strong work continue to keep the job competitive (per Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson? Browns' Todd Monken still undecided at QB).

At mandatory minicamp (June 9-11), the rotation continued through the final day with no breakthrough. Monken said both QBs "played well enough to earn the right to compete" and that he needs to see full pads and preseason games before deciding. Sanders and Watson split first-team reps on the last day, with both described as "starting-level quarterbacks" capable of functioning at a high level in Monken's system. (per NFL 2026 minicamp takeaways: Browns' Deshaun Watson-Shedeur Sanders competition heating up)

On June 11, Sanders revealed his approach to the QB battle differs from the typical "competition narrative." When asked about the QB race, Sanders downplayed the "competition" framing, saying: "I think the way how y'all look at things is different than how we look at things. We look at coming to practice every day, being the best player we can be as an individual and as a good teammate. Y'all look at it as like a competition. That's not really nothing I'm just focused on." He emphasized his focus on development: "I'm focused on developing as a player, like doing everything, getting as comfortable as I can in the offense in the scheme and playing with that confidence I had." On June 11, he worked mostly with the second-team offense after receiving first-team reps on June 9, hitting TE Brenden Bates and Blake Whiteheart on passes during the second-team portion (per Cleveland Browns News and Rumors June 11, 2026: The Competition Thing).

QB decision extends into preseason (June 14-15): Per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, Browns HC Todd Monken is holding off naming a starter and will delay the decision into preseason games. Monken wants to evaluate both Sanders and Watson in full-pads practices and game-like settings, with the Browns' first preseason game on August 15 against Chicago. This timeline suggests the QB1 job won't be finalized until late August, just before the regular season. Oyefusi specifically noted that Sanders has appeared "more poised" in Monken's offense as time progressed, with coaches lauding improvements in his footwork and processing—a meaningful development as the competition heads into the pads-on phase (per Why Browns fans will have to be patient with Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson QB competition, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders looks 'more poised' before training camp).

Minicamp rep strategy questioned (June 16): Former Browns LB Emmanuel Acho criticized Monken's approach of splitting first-team reps between Sanders and Watson, arguing the team cannot afford to waste premium practice time if it hasn't committed to a Week 1 starter. Acho's concern: "If Shedeur is not going to start Week 1, then stop wasting first-team reps on him. If Deshaun's not gonna start Week 1, then stop wasting first-team reps on him." Through mandatory minicamp, Watson had superior stats (90 for 133 passing with 13 TDs, 3 INTs) versus Sanders (79 for 113 with 5 TDs, 3 INTs), though Sanders showed late-week momentum and improvement. Monken's balanced rotation suggests genuine uncertainty, but also reflects that the team is not ready to commit to either QB and may see this as live evaluation time rather than wasted practice reps. (per "Stop Giving Him Reps": Todd Monken Receives Bold Advice About Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson From Former Browns Player - Yahoo Sports)

By late minicamp (June 16), Sanders had closed the gap: while Watson maintained early momentum in OTAs, by mandatory minicamp Sanders became "the more consistent quarterback of the two" for most of the three days, giving him momentum heading into training camp. Monken's credit lies in recognizing the competition remains genuinely open rather than forcing a premature decision—both Sanders and Watson functioned well enough to justify continued evaluation in pads. (per Browns minicamp 2026: Key takeaways on offense, defense and the QB race)

FOX Sports ranks Sanders as the #2 second-year QB breakout candidate for 2026, conditional on winning the starting job over Watson. Key advantage: if named starter, Sanders will operate under new HC Todd Monken with a significantly upgraded supporting cast. The Browns invested heavily in the offensive line and added two top-40 draft picks at receiver (KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston) to complement existing talent. With better offensive infrastructure than his modest 2025 rookie season (56.6% completion, 1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs), Sanders has clear Year 2 breakout potential—but only if he wins the ongoing competition with Watson and Monken's system installation progresses as planned. (per Year 2 Leap: Ranking The Top 5 Second-Year Quarterback Breakout Candidates)

June 21 update — Gaining ground as competition tightens: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Sanders is "gaining ground quickly" on Watson heading into training camp. While Watson is still viewed as the favorite, Fowler noted sources credited Sanders with decisive play and a "presence" that the coaching staff may have underestimated. The QB battle is expected to extend well into preseason games before a starter is named (per Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position battle to watch)

June 23 — Trade speculation and QB depth: Browns have received inquiries about Sanders' availability, with Pro Football Network reporting "talks" and "ongoing calls" from other teams. However, GM Andrew Berry appears unlikely to move Sanders for anything less than a substantial offer (third-round pick or better), and no trade is imminent. The real constraint: the Browns roster four QBs (Watson, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green) heading into camp, which is unusually crowded and may require roster moves to provide meaningful reps during training camp and preseason (per Cleveland Browns News and Rumors June 23, 2026: The Waiting Is the Dumbest Part)

Trade rumors underscore a deeper organizational issue: Cleveland's reluctance to invest in QB development. The front office's willingness to explore trading Sanders—despite his 3-4 record showing progress—suggests limited confidence in his long-term fit. Sports Illustrated notes this mirrors the team's failure to develop Dillon Gabriel and extends the franchise's historical pattern of skipping the development process entirely, searching instead for shortcuts (per What Trading Shedeur Sanders Would Say About Browns' Quarterback Position).

Late June training camp preview (June 24): As training camp approaches, the Sanders-Watson competition is expected to extend through August, with Todd Monken reserving judgment until full pads and preseason games provide clearer separation. Sanders has impressed with his processing, decision-making, and poise in spring drills, closing the gap significantly. The winner of this battle determines the trajectory of the Browns' passing game and offensive weapons (receivers, RBs) for 2026. (per Browns Quarterback Competition 2026: Shedeur Sanders And Deshaun Watson Head To Training Camp)

Role / Depth Chart

Competing with Deshaun Watson for starting QB role. Started 7 games in rookie season after entering as backup to Flacco and Gabriel. Fantasy relevance depends heavily on whether he wins or loses the quarterback competition before Week 1 against Jacksonville.

Injury Status

Healthy.

Recent News

Open Questions

  • Will Shedeur Sanders win the starting QB job for the Browns in 2026, or will he remain a backup to Deshaun Watson?

Sources

Coaches shaping Shedeur's role

Todd MonkenHead CoachTravis SwitzerOffensive CoordinatorDanny BreyerPass Game CoordinatorEphraim BandaPass Game CoordinatorBobby JohnsonAssistant Offensive LineGeorge WarhopOffensive LineMatt BakerAssistant QuarterbacksMike BajakianQuarterbacksSanders DavisOffensive Assistant/Offensive Line

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