Shedeur Sanders may be under a lot more pressure than other QBs in the league right now. Which is completely understandable. He is (once again) a participant in a four-way race for the starting job. But Sanders is now a Year 2 QB, which should make him the better candidate. But according to the voices from the team, Sanders is on track to reach the light at the end of this tunnel.
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“I think he’s had a really nice offseason,” Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry told ESPN Cleveland. “He did a really nice job at voluntary minicamp. I think his improvements in decision-making and pocket management by the end of the year, and certainly what we’ve seen so far in a very short spring, have been positive. I expect him to have more command of the offense and better ball security and situational awareness as we go into year two.”
If Sanders wants to be the starter, he has to make sure those rookie jitters are a thing of the past. But those turnovers did not go unnoticed. Across the eight games that Sanders played, he was intercepted 10 times. He tended to hold on to the ball for too long instead of getting it out early, which also led to a lot of sacks (23). Reading through progressions patiently was a challenge as well. For example, according to advanced metrics, Sanders made 10 big-time throws, but also made 15 plays that demanded a turnover.
Dillon Gabriel, who started in six games and played in 10, finished with only two interceptions. But the problem with him is that he wasn’t making those big plays that Sanders did. The longest he ever threw last season was a 26-yard pass against the Baltimore Ravens. Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, went well above 40 yards a few times last season. He went beyond 60 yards thrice last season, which is a quality Cleveland is counting on. He just has to make sure to keep the ball safe.
"To take another step and keep growing and learning," - Browns GM Andrew Berry on his expectations for QB Shedeur Sanders. FULL INTERVIEW: youtube.com/watch?v=wnZVEJ…
"We didn't anticipate that Ty would be available to us at 24, certainly there was, if the board falls a certain way, that he comes into consideration," - Browns GM Andrew Berry on the Browns and Ty Simpson in the draft. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/wnZVEJIJN2w
Sanders has actually admitted that he holds on to the ball for too long multiple times in the past. After four games into the season, the QB was holding on to the ball for more than three minutes. It is something that he has to cut down on a lot this season. Sometimes that extra time taken behind the decision has helped him make a statement. But that waiting game has also led to defenses getting the better of him.
Comparing these numbers to the competition he’s got, Shedeur Sanders truly has a big obstacle to conquer. He’s going against a veteran in Watson, who, at his best form, could keep the picks below 10. Otherwise, Sanders has a lot of supporters when it comes to him keeping the QB1 crown for the 2026 season.
But that is where we come back to the biggest question mark when it comes to the QB room: what happens to the other candidates?
Cleveland Browns’ plans for Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green
Not many have given a thought about Gabriel’s future in the depth chart. The QB seemed like a lock for the backup option, most likely behind Sanders (wherever he ends up on the chart). But with Taylen Green being drafted this weekend, it looked like Cleveland was going to trade him away since this became a four-way battle. After all, Cleveland did trade Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett last year. But according to insider Mary Kay Cabot, Gabriel still has a chance.
“They’re not keeping Gabriel on the roster just to trade him,” she said. “The new coaching staff has liked what it’s seen of him so far this offseason, and believes he’s worth a longer look. With Green on board, those two will essentially vie for the developmental spot, while Watson and Sanders battle for the starting job.”
Gabriel finished his 2025 season with a 1-5 record as a starter, which effectively led to Sanders being the next man up for the job. But it’d be wrong to say Gabriel doesn’t have the potential. Gabriel was a phenom at the college level and was a Heisman finalist. He took the Oregon Ducks through an unbeaten regular season run in 2024, too. Like Sanders, he will also hope to get rid of rookie mistakes this season. Year two isn’t exactly a level playing field, but Gabriel can still carve out a role for himself.
Green seems to be an emergency option for the Browns this season. Cleveland has already said that they plan to keep three signal-callers on the active roster and one in the practice squad. The rookie is most likely set for the latter role. In case a position opens up in the three-man squad during the season, Green can move up to provide depth.
Ultimately, it all comes down to competition. Head coach Todd Monken also said last week that even though everyone will be competing, it does not mean that everybody will be getting the same reps. They will be operating according to some kind of depth chart. According to reports, Shedeur Sanders is also getting first-team reps. Whether or not he’s fully met what the staff expects of him this season, however, can only be found out later in the season.
