Browns GM Still Doesn’t Feel Shedeur Sanders Has Locked In His Spot as the Team’s Starting Quarterback

Browns GM Andrew Berry remains non-committal about the starting quarterback job, which he claimed will be decided after the training camp.

Browns GM Still Doesn’t Feel Shedeur Sanders Has Locked In His Spot as the Team’s Starting Quarterback

Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry stated that Shedeur Sanders must outperform Deshaun Watson to secure the starting quarterback position.
  • The decision on the starting QB will be made after the offseason training camp, as the team plans to revamp its roster.
  • Sanders finished his rookie season with a 3-4 record and received a Pro Bowl call-up despite struggling with turnovers.

If Shedeur Sanders had delivered stronger numbers in his rookie year, the Cleveland Browns likely wouldn’t be so hesitant to announce their starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. While the fans want Sanders to start from week one, the decision is not his to make.

General manager Andrew Berry made it clear that the 24-year-old must outshine Deshaun Watson if he wants to be the Browns’ starting quarterback.

In a recent chat with Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot about Sanders’ chances of starting over Watson, Berry mentioned that the coaches plan to make that decision after the offseason training camp. That’s because the Browns are planning to revamp the roster and want to see how quickly Sanders can build with the new players.

We’re going to have a fair amount of turnover on that side of the ball. They’ll have new teammates to learn, which is why the spring will be really important for the guys that are at the offseason program for us to really, really get a sense of their progress year over year.

Andrew Berry said

Sanders experienced several challenging scenarios last year. Despite Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft projecting Sanders as a top 10 pick, he slipped down the order of day three. Berry and the Browns took the University of Colorado graduate 144th overall.

Can Shedeur Sanders bounce back from a disappointing first season or face similar challenges in year two?

If failing to the fifth round was not enough, he walked into a quarterback room that contained Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Head coach Kevin Stefanski chose Flacco to start and traded Pickett to the Raiders. With less competition to deal with, many predicted Sanders to beat out Gabriel for the backup job. However, Gabriel received the nod instead of Sanders.

Browns GM Still Doesn't Feel Shedeur Sanders Has Locked In His Spot as the Team's Starting Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Then, surprising news leaked out of the Browns’ camp. Sanders reportedly trained with the reserves and did not get a single rep with either the starters or the bench players.

Flacco gave the Browns a 1-3 start before Stefanski benched him to start Gabriel, but Sanders still remained the third choice. Two weeks later, the Super Bowl winner was shipped to the Bengals. This new development increased hope for the Sanders camp. When Gabriel suffered a concussion in the Ravens game, Sanders saw game time for the first time. Coincidentally, that was his first time playing with the starters.

Shedeur completed 4 passes from 16 attempts for 47 yards and an interception in a 7-point loss. The following week, he made his first start and completed 11 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 24–10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. In week 14, he threw for his first 300+ yard game against the Tennessee Titans, scoring 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, and an interception.

Sanders finished with a 3-4 record, a 56.6% completion percentage, 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and one rushing touchdown. The NFL awarded him a Pro Bowl call-up.

After the season, the Browns fired Stefanski and appointed former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as the new head coach. Monken complimented Sanders’ style of play but stayed quiet about his chances of becoming the starter in his second season.

The main reason is that Watson remains on the roster with a contract that runs through the 2026 season. Watson spent 2025 on the IR after suffering an Achilles tear. If Watson outshines Sanders during the upcoming offseason, he’ll probably be the starting QB in week one. And let’s not forget about Gabriel, who may have fallen out of favor but will be in the mix, regardless.

I think everyone in that room deserves opportunity. And so we’ll certainly know a lot more as we get to the spring. We’ll know even more as we get to camp.

Andrew Berry told Cleveland.com

Sanders has the backing of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

He’s pretty unflappable. The guy goes out there, he’s always himself, he stays true to him, and he’s just confident.

Garrett told DJ Siddiqi of Casino Guru via FanSided

Cabot previously reported that Watson remains the early favorite to reclaim his QB1 job. Then again, anything is possible during training camp.

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