Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Shedeur Sanders

Wednesday, January 28, 2:31 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) didn't tear his ACL as initially feared, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Minshew suffered only a bone bruise and did not require surgery. The veteran signal-caller avoided any long-term damage to his knee and is already back to full strength as he heads into free agency in 2026. Minshew was forced into action late in the season after Patrick Mahomes (knee) tore his ACL in Week 15. In his first start of the season in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, Minshew injured his left knee and missed the final few games of the year. The 29-year-old was initially believed to have a torn ACL before the Chiefs said he had a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture. This news might make it more likely that Minshew returns to KC as QB insurance for Mahomes again. In four appearances in 2025, Minshew went 6-for-13 for 37 yards with one interception.

Tuesday, February 10, 2:36 PM

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.