Who Should I Start? C.J. Stroud or Shedeur Sanders

Tuesday, January 20, 12:30 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, becoming just the second QB since 1991 to throw four picks in a playoff half. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL draft has rapidly regressed since his impressive rookie season. The Texans are expected to pick up his fifth-year option, but so far, the Texans are non-committal on a long-term contract extension for Stroud. Under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley in 2025, Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Despite having three playoff wins in his three seasons, Stroud has just five TDs with six interceptions and seven fumbles (two lost) in the postseason. Stroud said he was still "getting adjusted" to the new offense this year. Perhaps he'll be better in 2026 if Caley sticks around as the OC, but for fantasy purposes, Stroud has become a QB2 instead of a legitimate QB1 option.

Friday, January 30, 11:24 AM

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.