The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room is shaping up to be one of the most competitive battlegrounds of the offseason, and the latest rumors spell troubling news for second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. After a rookie campaign that showed flashes but lacked consistency, Sanders now finds his projected path to QB1 suddenly blocked by potential high-profile arrivals.
A Crowded Field of Competition
Browns leadership has made it clear that nothing will be handed to anyone. Haslam Sports Group partner JW Johnson recently emphasized this point on local media, stating, "Nobody is getting handed the keys to the car today. They're going to come in and compete." This philosophy extends to the entire quarterback group, which includes veteran Deshaun Watson returning from injury, Sanders, and fellow sophomore Dillon Stone.
Johnson acknowledged the ups and downs of the rookie seasons for Sanders and Stone, noting that with a new head coach in Todd Monken, everyone must prove they can grasp the offense and outperform their peers. "I think it's open competition and we are excited about it," Johnson added, setting the stage for a summer showdown.
Sanders' Rookie Recap and Reality Check
Shedeur Sanders' inaugural NFL season was a mixed bag. The 144th overall pick in last year's draft completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, tossing seven touchdowns against ten interceptions. While he demonstrated the raw talent and poise that made him a coveted prospect, the numbers fell short of cementing him as the franchise's undeniable future. The learning curve was steep, leaving the door open for the Browns to explore other options.
Speaking after the season, Sanders maintained his trademark confidence while acknowledging the reality of the situation. "I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now," Sanders reflected. "So, I'm always the same, confidence-wise, I'm there. But like, that's not in my hands. Like, that's not my decision. I can't speak on what other people feel."
Browns Eyeing Big Moves in the Market
According to reports from The Athletic's Zac Jackson, the Browns' plans may extend far beyond an internal competition. The team is rumored to be a serious suitor for Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis, who is set to hit free agency. NFL insider Jordan Schulz suggests it's a "foregone conclusion" that Willis will command a starting salary of at least $30 million on the open market. Signing Willis to a deal of that magnitude would effectively anoint him as the immediate starter, relegating Sanders to backup duties before a single snap of offseason practice.
If the Browns are outbid for Willis, Jackson reports the team's contingency plan could be even more dramatic: a trade for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Colts have reportedly granted the former top-five draft pick permission to seek a trade, putting a dynamic but oft-injured talent potentially in play. A trade for Richardson would still create competition, but it would represent another significant investment in a quarterback not named Shedeur Sanders.
What This Means for Shedeur's Future
The implications for Sanders are stark. The pursuit of either Willis or Richardson signals that the Browns' front office is not yet sold on him as the definitive answer under center. It represents a vote of limited confidence in his rookie development and places a massive hurdle in his quest to become Cleveland's Week 1 starter.
While a trade for Richardson might leave a sliver of opportunity for Sanders to win the job in a true open contest, the acquisition of Malik Willis would likely slam that window shut. Sanders' fate, which once seemed to be in his own hands as he developed, is now heavily influenced by the decisions of the front office in the coming weeks. For the young quarterback, the message is clear: his promising start in Cleveland is under threat, and he must prepare for the fight of his career just to stay in the conversation.
