The winds of change might be blowing through the Cleveland Browns' quarterback room. Despite Shedeur Sanders finishing the 2025 season under center and being the presumed starter for Week 1 in 2026, the franchise appears to be keeping its options wide open, and that could spell trouble for the young signal-caller.
A Telling Visit from a Top Prospect
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Browns are hosting former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson on an official pre-draft visit this week. Simpson, widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in the 2026 draft class behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, is coming off an impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. This move is particularly notable because Cleveland is armed with significant draft capital, holding the No. 6 and No. 24 overall picks in the first round.
"Former Alabama QB Ty Simpson is on a visit with the Browns, per sources," Pelissero reported. "The consensus QB2 in this year’s NFL Draft, Simpson is coming off a strong showing at the NFL combine. Cleveland owns the No. 6 and 24 picks." While a visit doesn't guarantee a selection, it's a clear signal of serious interest from a team with the ammunition to make a major move.
Simpson's Collegiate Pedigree
Ty Simpson isn't just a workout warrior; his final season at Alabama was highly productive. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship Game and a victory in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. His proven ability to perform on a big stage makes him an enticing prospect for any NFL team looking to solidify its future at the most important position.
What This Means for Shedeur Sanders
For Shedeur Sanders, this development is a potential storm cloud on the horizon. If the Browns use one of their valuable early picks on Simpson, it would send a powerful message: they are looking to invest heavily in a new franchise quarterback. Sanders, while he held the starting job to end last season, finds himself in a precarious position on the Browns' depth chart.
He has the least amount of organizational capital invested in him compared to other quarterbacks on the roster. Deshaun Watson's massive contract guarantees the team will try to extract value from him, and Dillon Gabriel was a higher draft pick with more financial commitment. Sanders' current standing might actually make him a tradeable asset. The Browns could view his starting experience as a chance to acquire additional draft capital from another team willing to take a chance on his potential.
A Crossroads in Cleveland
The question now is whether the Browns are genuinely preparing to move on from Shedeur Sanders after just one season as the starter. Hosting a top-tier quarterback prospect is the kind of due diligence that can quickly turn into a franchise-altering decision. With two first-round picks, Cleveland is in a prime position to select a quarterback of the future without the pressure of reaching.
This situation creates a fascinating training camp narrative. Will Sanders rise to the challenge and solidify his hold on the job, forcing the front office to reconsider its draft strategy? Or will the specter of a new, highly-touted rookie create an environment where his tenure as QB1 is constantly under scrutiny? For a player who fought to earn the starting role, this pre-draft activity is a stark reminder that in the NFL, job security is never guaranteed.
The coming weeks will be critical. The outcome of Simpson's visit and the Browns' ultimate decision in the draft will define the immediate future for both the promising rookie and Shedeur Sanders, setting the course for the franchise's next chapter.
