Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns is preparing for his second season in the NFL. Sanders fell to the fifth round during the 2025 NFL Draft, with Cleveland selecting him with the No. 144 overall pick. The 6-foot-2 quarterback stayed patient and eventually started seven games for the Browns last season.
The Trinity Christian School graduate had an up-and-down season, throwing for 1,400 yards while completing 56.6% of his passes to go along with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner went 3-4 in his starts and was invited to the 2025 Pro Bowl. With veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson returning after missing the 2025 season with an Achilles injury, Sanders will have to battle Watson for the starting job.
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On Wednesday's "Orange and Brown Talk" podcast, Sanders' future in Cleveland was discussed by the crew. The "Orange and Brown Talk" podcast is hosted by longtime Cleveland sportswriter Mary Kay Cabot, along with Browns beat reporters Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe.
During the podcast, around the 14:35 mark, Labbe posed a question to Cabot about Sanders' future with the Browns amid trade rumors. Cabot took the opportunity to shut down any speculation about prioritizing a Sanders trade. She explained that the Browns are doing what they said they would do, noting that while a trade could happen, trade discussions are not Cleveland's top priority at the moment.
"...In this case, I just don't really think there's too much to it at this point," Cabot said. "They've already said exactly what they're doing. They're heading into training camp with a two-way battle between these two players, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. I think that's how it's going to go..."
"...I wouldn't be surprised if he's fielding calls," Cabot continued. "Listening to offers from some teams, talking to teams and whatnot. But right now, I don't see that happening. Of course, it could possibly happen, but the fact that somebody is reporting that right now, I don't see that as anything that's on the front burner..."
Cleveland will open the 2026 NFL regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET.
