‘Why Are You Keeping Him?' — Browns Insider Poses Blunt Question About Shedeur Sanders' Future in Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns will have veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson starting in Week 1 to open the 2026 season, but what does that mean for Shedeur Sanders? What will happen with Sanders has been the biggest question at Browns camp throughout the offseason, and at this point, the answer still seems to be up in the air. A Browns insider recently joined ESPN Cleveland to discuss Sanders' spot on the roster and the Browns' plan for him, and offered a blunt question for the franchise. Run a full draft against AI opponents before the real one. Set your league size, slot, and scoring with PFN's FREE Fantasy Draft Simulator and see how your board actually falls. Why Keep Shedeur Sanders If You're the Browns? Browns reporter Tony Grossi joined 850 ESPN Cleveland Tuesday morning and addressed the elephant in the room: What are the Browns' plans for Sanders? 'Why are you keeping him if he sunk so low? That's a development that's gonna happen,' Grossi said. 'We're gonna get an answer to that question at the fifth week of the season.' Dillon Gabriel suffered a back injury in Cleveland's preseason finale, and an MRI revealed further injury. So, the second-year quarterback will be on the shelf to start the season. In Week 5, Gabriel will be eligible to return from injury, and Grossi believes that's when the Browns will ultimately make their decision. BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN's Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator He posed a scenario that might happen, which could leave Sanders fourth on the depth chart. 'Think about this. I'm just throwing this out there. What's the motivation for Taylen Green? Why are they rushing Taylen Green? To get him up to speed for when (Dillon) Gabriel comes off injured reserve,' Grossi said. 'Gabriel becomes No. 2, and Taylen Green becomes No. 3. 'Why are you keeping him if he sunk so low,' – @TonyGrossi on what it would mean IF the Browns made Taylen Green QB2 ahead of Shedeur week 1. pic.twitter.com/y97MNWSkg3 — ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 8, 2026 'Then, what happens to Shedeur?' Gabriel and Sanders were both drafted in 2025, and both got some run during their rookie years. Neither quarterback was extremely impressive, but Sanders did make the Pro Bowl, for what that's worth. Gabriel went 1-5 in his six starts, passing for 937 yards and seven touchdowns, with two interceptions. Comparatively, Sanders went 3-4 in his seven starts, passing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. START PREPARING: PFN's Free Fantasy Draft Simulator When looking at the two quarterbacks' rookie seasons, it really depends on what you value more when determining who performed better. Sanders had the offense rolling better and the team playing better, but he turned the ball over way too often, and Gabriel just didn't do much in his games, but he took care of the ball better. Neither quarterback performed well, ranking in the bottom three of qualified quarterbacks in the NFL, according to PFSN's QB Impact Rankings. Gabried landed at No. 36, and Sanders took No. 37. The Browns drafted Green in the sixth round of this year's draft, and he got to play in the second half of Cleveland's preseason finale. The rookie went 5/7 for 27 yards and had eight carries for 66 yards on the ground. Green's dual-threat ability is what got him drafted.