Shedeur Sanders waiting in the wings as Browns search for answers

At 1-5, the Cleveland Browns are again facing familiar struggles, and this season’s outlook already feels uncertain. The franchise is in desperate need of stability at quarterback, and for now, that responsibility rests with rookie Dillon Gabriel.

After parting ways with veteran Joe Flacco, Cleveland has shifted to a youth-focused approach, hoping it can spark a turnaround. But with Gabriel off to a rough start and the Browns continuing to slide, attention is quickly turning toward another rookie waiting for his moment: Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders, who was once projected as a top-five draft pick, slipped in the draft and has yet to see meaningful NFL action. If Gabriel falters or gets hurt, Sanders is next in line. The Browns’ coaching staff appears hesitant to rush him, but as the losses pile up, patience may be running thin in Cleveland.

Browns may turn to Shedeur Sanders as QB issues mount

Cleveland’s offensive struggles have intensified since handing the starting job to Dillon Gabriel. The team has dropped both games since the change and remains winless in that stretch. While Gabriel continues to learn on the fly, Sanders sits behind him, one play away from his first real opportunity in the league.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, the organization may not believe Sanders is ready yet.

“I don’t get the impression that he’s ‘ready,’ but I don’t know that it matters much,” Lloyd wrote. “If they crowbarred Johnny Manziel onto the field on a team that was actually in the division race, why wouldn’t they throw Sanders out there at some point, given the current mess?”

Lloyd added that Sanders “comes off as quite likable” in their brief interactions, though the “noise that comes with him” complicates the situation.

Lloyd ultimately believes the Browns could be back in the quarterback market next year. His assessment aligns with Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema, who projected Cleveland to use the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 pounds, has thrown for 1,423 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just two interceptions this season.

For Cleveland, that possibility highlights a pressing dilemma. If neither Gabriel nor Sanders can prove themselves over the next 11 games, the Browns could again be forced to reset under center. But if Sanders gets his shot and delivers, Cleveland might finally have the answer it’s been searching for.

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