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Not too long ago, the Cleveland Browns’ offseason centered on their competitive starting-quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
Given that Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot reported that Watson was on track to become the Browns’ No. 1 signal caller following an impressive voluntary minicamp in late April, the consensus was that it was his job to lose.
Fast forward to June, and there are shocking rumblings that Watson may be the only QB of the two to start the 2026-27 NFL season on the Browns’ roster. Essentially, there are legitimate doubts about Sanders' future with Cleveland after just one season with the AFC North franchise.
The Colorado product’s weaknesses overshadowed his strengths in Year 1, as he struggled to make the simple plays under pressure (taking sacks when there isn’t a receiver available or throwing the ball away) and maximize his downfield passing opportunities during his 1,400-yard, seven-touchdown, and 10-interception rookie campaign in Cleveland.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is a fan of the idea of the Browns completing a three-team, Sanders-centered trade that would land them an ex-New England Patriots Super Bowl-winning QB.
“In this hypothetical trade (Michael Wilson to the Patriots, Sanders, Kayshon Boutte, and a Browns’ 2027 fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals, and Jacoby Brissett and a Patriots’ 2027 third-round pick to the Browns), they give the Patriots yet another big receiver addition while taking care of another contract situation and making their QB competition a bit more interesting.”
“Quarterback Jacoby Brissett did not attend the early portion of Arizona's voluntary offseason program as he sought an extension that would pay him like a starter and provide more security. In this theoretical three-team deal, Arizona offloads him to the always QB-needy Cleveland Browns while receiving draft compensation, along with second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders and Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte.”
"Sanders is supposedly competing with Deshaun Watson for Cleveland's starting job, but there's been speculation that he isn't in the Browns' long-term plans.”
The Brissett fiasco in Arizona could certainly lead to an offseason trade. If the Browns want a more experienced and proven QB to back up Watson this upcoming season, the NC State product could be a realistic option.
Brissett is coming off a respectable 2025-26 campaign in which he connected on 485 passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions to go along with a 64.9% completion percentage in 14 games with the Cardinals.
Of course, the Browns could elect to continue developing Sanders when it’s all said and done, but there’s no doubt that things are up in the air entering July.
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