Shedeur Sanders has barely played for the Cleveland Browns this season after entering 2026 as the backup to Deshaun Watson.
Sanders competed with Watson for the starting job throughout training camp and the preseason, but head coach Todd Monken ultimately chose Watson to open the season. Monken said the decision was based on the full body of work from the offseason, training camp, preseason and joint practices.
The Browns have now started 2-1, and Watson remains atop the depth chart heading into Thursday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders is listed directly behind him.
Shedeur Sanders Remains Browns Backup
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Watson’s performances have prevented Cleveland from making a quarterback change. He struggled in the season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but responded with victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.
Against the Panthers, Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned after briefly leaving the game with an unspecified injury and led the Browns on the winning touchdown drive.
Sanders finally made his 2026 regular-season debut in that game, but his opportunity was extremely limited. He entered for one play late in the fourth quarter while Watson was temporarily out and completed his only pass attempt for no gain. Watson returned immediately afterward.
Browns Have No Immediate Plan to Start Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland’s official Week 4 depth chart continues to list Watson as QB1 and Sanders as QB2. Taylen Green is third.
The Browns’ 2-1 start has also reduced the immediate pressure to change quarterbacks. Watson has thrown multiple touchdown passes without an interception in each of his last two games, giving Monken reason to maintain the current arrangement.
Sanders therefore enters Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh in the same backup role he has held since the start of the season. Unless Watson suffers an injury or Cleveland changes its approach, Sanders’ playing time is expected to remain limited.
The former Colorado star finished his 2025 rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while starting seven games. Sanders was the starting quarterback the last time the Browns and Steelers met in 2025. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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