Shedeur Sanders
Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders News
Shedeur Sanders Has Good Practice with First-Team Offense
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders worked with the first-team offense for the third time in training camp and had his best day with that group. Sanders was on target, made high-level throws, and outplayed Deshaun Watson, who was reportedly inconsistent and struggled with accuracy on Tuesday. Watson entered as the favorite to win the Browns' starting job, but it appears the tides are turning in the second-year quarterback's favor. The Browns open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and will have a decision by then. Until then, Sanders will need to remain on point and defy the odds to keep the starting job.
Aug 4, 2026 5:04 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders Building Momentum in Browns QB Battle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders continues to make his case for the starting job. Rookie Watch reported that Sanders led the team's quarterbacks with 13 completions and four touchdowns during Saturday's practice, but the session was not as clean as those numbers suggest. He connected with Jerry Jeudy for a score and hit rookie Denzel Boston on a contested deep ball, then threw an interception late and had another pass dropped by a defender. Sanders is coming off an uneven rookie season in which he completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight appearances. He and Deshaun Watson handled most of the first-team work during the offseason, but head coach Todd Monken has made it clear that the Browns are not close to naming a starter. Sanders has created some early momentum, though the competition should become more meaningful once Cleveland reaches preseason games and joint practices. He would carry Superflex appeal if he wins the job, but fantasy managers should not treat him as Cleveland's QB1 yet.
Aug 2, 2026 9:25 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders to Start the Team's First Padded Practice
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is taking the first-team reps at QB in training camp practice on Friday, as the alternating practices with second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders continue, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. It means that Sanders will see the first-team reps for the team's first padded practice on Monday. As expected, the two QBs are splitting first-team work early in training camp. There is no clear leader in the quarterback competition this early, although Watson noticeably struggled the other day and threw back-to-back interceptions during 11-on-11 work. Head coach Todd Monken hasn't given a timetable for when he wants to announce the winner of the competition, but he did say he plans to play his starters in the preseason. We should have a better idea of who the leader in the competition is once pads come on. Watson has the experience over Sanders, but he also missed all of 2025 due to a torn Achilles tendon. Whoever wins the Browns' QB job will have a short leash and will be a low-end, low-upside QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues.
Jul 31, 2026 9:49 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders's QB Battle to Carry into Training Camp
When the Cleveland Browns take to the field for their first practice of training camp on July 31, all eyes will be on second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he continues to battle for the starting job with veteran Deshaun Watson. New head coach Todd Monken declined to name a starter following a minicamp setting in which both players received praise from the coaching staff and media alike, and he could wait until deep into training camp to make his decision. The Browns will host a joint practice with the Bills in late August, and Monken may want to see how both Sanders and Watson perform in simulated action closer to what they'll face in the regular season before naming a starter. Despite eventually being named a Pro Bowler, Sanders completed less than 57% of his passes as a rookie while throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. In an improved offensive environment, he will need to show significant growth, first to win the job but then to matter for fantasy, and he is currently RotoBaller's QB34.
Jul 24, 2026 5:27 AM EST
Browns Interested in Trading Shedeur Sanders?
The NFL Network's James Palmer reports that "there have been some things circulating" that the Cleveland Browns "could be moving on" from second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland now has plenty of draft capital and are expected to be in on the strong QB class in next year's NFL draft. Palmer also reports that Sanders is "making up ground" and "has closed the gap" in the quarterback competition with veteran Deshaun Watson. The belief is that the competition is close this summer in training camp, the Browns will go with Watson, who has more NFL experience and also much more invested into him by the organization. Sanders is improving in terms of his pocket presence and in going through his progressions, and he's done everything right since he fell to the fifth round in last year's draft. Accuracy is the 24-year-old's strength, but he's been more of a developmental prospect in terms of playing under center, reading defenses, and playing with anticipation. Palmer is not convinced that the Browns are set on trading Sanders because of the improvement that he's shown since joining the NFL. Neither Watson nor Sanders will carry much value in single-QB, 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026, but now might be a good time to buy low on Sanders in dynasty/keeper formats.
Jul 9, 2026 5:31 PM EST
Should Dynasty Rebuilders Explore Buying Low on Shedeur Sanders?
Across eight games (seven starts) as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 56.6% of his pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The 24-year-old took over as the starter in Week 12 of what was already a lost season for Cleveland and flashed some upside, but largely struggled. Entering 2026, Sanders is competing with Browns veteran Deshaun Watson for the team's QB1 role. While Watson has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness during his time in Cleveland, early reports indicate that the veteran may be the favorite to open 2026 ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. While Sanders' short-term fantasy value may be nonexistent, he may still be worth holding onto in dynasty formats. Cleveland overhauled both its offensive line and wide receiver corps over the offseason and currently remains without a clear quarterback of the future. For rebuilding dynasty managers, Sanders could be a worthy buy-low target.
Jun 24, 2026 8:28 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Falling Behind in Quarterback Competition?
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was eventually named a Pro Bowler after a rookie season in which he won three of seven starts, completed fewer than 57% of his passes, and threw three more interceptions than touchdowns. While it is an accolade he'll hold for the rest of his career, it carries no weight in his ongoing competition with 2017 first-round pick Deshaun Watson. While acknowledging that Sanders has had his moments in the spring, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared on Friday his belief that Watson has a "leg up" in the competition for the Browns' starting duties in 2026. Cleveland spent five of its first six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on either offensive line or wide receiver, so whoever wins the job should find the situation more tenable than the one that churned through three different starters in 2025. While no official determination is likely until training camp, early reports haven't favored Sanders, and he's fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty QB34.
May 31, 2026 6:01 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Gets First Reps in Team Workouts
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the first quarterback to take reps during team drills at voluntary minicamp on Wednesday, according to Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official website. Although Sanders opened the workout, the Browns rotated through quarterbacks, with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel also getting heavily involved. "We were just rotating who was first reps," head coach Todd Monken said. "It was set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them. The plan was to have Shedeur have a few more reps, but to let Deshaun and Shedeur both have reps with the ones." We can't read too much into the breakdown of drills more than four months ahead of the regular season, especially when the difference in the number of reps was marginal. At the same time, it's interesting to see Monken establish a sort of pecking order, allowing Sanders, the less-experienced quarterback but incumbent starter, to get the first nod over Watson (Achilles), who has more experience but is returning from a lengthy injury absence.
Apr 22, 2026 1:09 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders the Favorite to Win Browns QB Job?
The Cleveland Browns have publicly praised quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this offseason, but The Athletic's Zac Jackson said he feels "stronger than ever" that Shedeur Sanders, not Watson, is the "favorite to win the starting job." Sanders wasn't Cleveland's first choice in 2025 and might not be their first choice for the future, either, but giving him every chance to win the job and to make real progress is "clearly the best option right now." The 24-year-old fifth-rounder is signed for three more seasons, and Jackson thinks that the best path to escaping the Watson mess is to let Sanders take the job and provide "at least league-average QB play." There will be a true competition between Sanders and Watson in training camp this summer after Sanders was highly inconsistent in his rookie season in 2025, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games (seven starts). The former Colorado star has been working on getting stronger this offseason and is the Browns' "best option" at the position. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues looking for help at QB might want to consider buying low on Sanders.
Apr 4, 2026 2:20 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders Set to Face Competition Ahead of 2026
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished the 2025 season as the team's starter, but that doesn't mean his job is guaranteed for 2026. Sanders is expected to face competition at the quarterback position as Deshaun Watson (Achilles) rejoins the offense. Watson hasn't played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, but he's expected to compete with Sanders for the starting role during training camp. On one hand, the Browns' lofty investment of multiple first-round picks in Watson would presumably give him an advantage in the competition. On the other hand, he's coming off an injury, hasn't played in a season and a half, and didn't play particularly well even when he was healthy. Sanders didn't have a great rookie season by any means, either, posting a measly 56.6% completion rate with just seven passing touchdowns and 11 turnovers. This will be a very interesting position battle to monitor, and Sanders will have to deliver a strong summer to win the job over Watson.
Mar 21, 2026 11:00 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Not Guaranteed of Starting Role in Cleveland?
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said Wednesday that he thinks the team's starting quarterback job is "an open competition" and said he "doesn't know why it wouldn't be" when questioned by the media, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Jackson reports that Monken said he sees "elite playmaking ability" in Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but remained noncommittal about Sanders' status as the QB1 favorite. As a rookie in 2025, Sanders completed 56.6% of his pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight games (seven starts). Sanders took over as the team's starter in Week 12, replacing fellow rookie signal-caller Dillon Gabriel. In 10 games (six starts), Gabriel completed 59.5% of his pass attempts for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. While Sanders could very well open 2026 as the starter in Cleveland, it appears as though the team is leaving the door open to the possibility of bringing in another quarterback over the offseason or simply staging more internal competition.
Feb 25, 2026 8:35 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Should be Given Opportunity to Win Starting QB Job
The Athletic's Zac Jackson predicts that the Cleveland Browns give quarterback Shedeur Sanders the "runway to be the No. 1 QB for the summer and early fall." Sanders, who fell to the fifth round in last year's NFL draft, held the starting gig for the final seven games of the 2025 season and was predictably inconsistent, completing 56.6% of his 212 pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 picks. He added 21 rushing attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown. Along with Sanders, Deshaun Watson (Achilles) and Dillon Gabriel are the only other QBs on the roster. As of now, Sanders is probably first in line, but it's early in the offseason, and the depth chart remains fluid. New head coach Todd Monken was non-committal on the QB situation at his first press conference. The Browns could add to the QB competition by taking a signal-caller in this year's draft, giving Sanders more competition.
Feb 10, 2026 2:36 PM EST
Todd Monken Tells Shedeur Sanders he Tried to Draft him
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told quarterback Shedeur Sanders that he tried to draft him last year as a member of the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Baltimore was interested in taking Sanders out of the University of Colorado in last year's draft, but Sanders said he wasn't interested in sitting behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens ended up passing on Sanders, and he fell all the way to the fifth round when the Browns took him at No. 144 overall. The 23-year-old appeared in eight games (seven starts) in his rookie season in 2025, completing 56.6% of his pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He added 21 carries for 169 yards and a TD on the ground. Sanders mostly struggled, but he also showed playmaking upside. The Browns are expected to bring in at least one QB this offseason, so Sanders won't be a lock to win the starting gig under center going into Week 1.
Jan 30, 2026 11:24 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been added to this year's Pro Bowl Games as a replacement for New England Patriots QB Drake Maye, a source told Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Sanders, who slipped to the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, ended up starting the final seven games for the Browns in his first year in the NFL. The 23-year-old completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He added 169 rushing yards and one touchdown on 21 carries while going 3-4 as the starter. Sanders did enough in training camp and the preseason last summer to earn a roster spot going into 2025, and although he had his moments as the starter late in the year, he most definitely will need to show more improvement and will be involved in a QB competition during training camp in 2026.
Jan 26, 2026 5:12 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders "Still Very Much a Work in Progress"
The Cleveland Browns liked what they saw from rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in his first year in the NFL, but they also acknowledged that he has plenty to work on going into 2026, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "He's still very much a work in progress, like many people," general manager Andrew Berry said. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder didn't make his NFL debut until Week 11 after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. Sanders took over as the starter, though, and started the final seven games for Cleveland. He had his ups and downs, completing 59.2% of his passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions while running for 153 yards and another score. Sanders showed enough athleticism and arm strength to at least put himself in the competition for the starting gig going into next season, where he's expected to compete with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) and Gabriel.
Jan 5, 2026 1:09 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders Shows Modest Improvement in Week 16 Loss
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 157 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sanders managed to overcome an injured pinky finger on his throwing hand, which forced him out of the game for a few plays, and completed 69% of his passes, his best passing completion percentage of the year. Most notably, the rookie play caller had four rushes for 49 yards, also a season high. If Sanders continues to gain yards on the ground, which helps to support his fantasy points floor, he may become a more appealing deep league Superflex option. Looking ahead, the Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, whose defense gives up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks for the year.
Dec 21, 2025 4:59 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders Likely to Remain an Unreliable Fantasy Option in Week 16
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is coming off his worst game as a starter, and there is little respite in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. As an encore to his 33.5 fantasy points showing in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, Sanders posted just 3.5 fantasy points against the Chicago Bears in Week 15, completing 18 of his 35 pass attempts for 177 yards and throwing three interceptions. Sanders' 30.3 quarterback passer rating last week was his lowest as a starter this season and the worst rating for all starting quarterbacks in Week 15. The road does not get easier for the late-round rookie as the Bills' defense has held opposing quarterbacks to an average of 13.4 fantasy points per game since Week 8. However, Sanders should have more time in the pocket this week than in previous weeks. Since starting in Week 12, Sanders has faced a 46% pressure rate, the highest in the league, while the Bills' defense boasts a below-average pressure rate of 34.2%. Nonetheless, for Week 16, Sanders is a desperation deep-league Superflex option for fantasy managers, once again.
Dec 20, 2025 6:45 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Plummets Back to Earth in Week 15 Loss
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 18 of his 35 pass attempts for 177 yards and threw three interceptions in Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. Sanders, scoring just 3.48 fantasy points on Sunday, is building connections with fellow rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond. That pass-catching duo accounted for 77.4% of Sanders' total passing yards and 50% of his completions for the day. Even though the rookie quarterback was under siege all afternoon in Chicago, he was able to complete five of his six passes when blitzed. However, his overall completion average was just 51.4% for the day, one of the worst in the league. Sanders draws the Buffalo Bills defense in Week 16, which is a tough matchup for quarterbacks despite their middling quarterback pressure rate of 34.4% and a 6.8% team sack rate. Looking ahead, Sanders is likely to remain a desperation deep-league Superflex option with an unreliable floor for fantasy managers.
Dec 14, 2025 9:31 PM EST
Shedeur Sanders Emerging as a Fantasy Option?
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had his best game of the season in the Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans, completing 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding three carries for 29 yards and another score on the ground. The rookie fifth-rounder is one of three players this season to record at least 300 passing yards with three passing touchdowns and a rushing score in the same game, joining Dak Prescott and Josh Allen. Sanders' standout performance led to head coach Kevin Stefanski announcing him as Cleveland's starting QB for the rest of the season. Sanders and the Browns nearly pulled off the comeback against the Titans, but came up short on a two-point conversion to tie the game. The 23-year-old has flashed his fantasy upside in his three starts, but will face a challenge in Week 15 in severe weather conditions against a Chicago Bears defense that leads the league with 27 takeaways this season.
Dec 10, 2025 10:48 AM EST
Shedeur Sanders Will Start for Browns the Rest of the Season
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be the team's starting QB for the rest of the 2025 season, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday. The announcement comes a day after Sanders had by far his best performance in his third career start in Sunday's 31-29 loss to the visiting Tennessee Titans. The 23-year-old went 23-for-42 passing for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception while adding three carries for 29 yards and a fourth touchdown. His TD passes went to receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku. Sanders nearly led the Browns to a comeback in the fourth quarter, but they failed on a two-point conversion to tie the game. The fifth-rounder out of Colorado can extend plays with his legs and has been aggressive in pushing the ball down the field. Sanders will have a stiff test in Week 15 on the road against a ball-hawking Bears defense.
Dec 8, 2025 1:13 PM EST
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