"Who wants the cult and stupid questions?": Jason Whitlock takes issue with Shedeur Sanders trade talk as Browns crawl to No. 3 draft position

Jason Whitlock shut down trade speculation surrounding Shedeur Sanders. The sports columnist doesn't see any team willing to acquire the quarterback.

Sanders is the Cleveland Browns' first-year signal-caller who has posted a 1-4 record through his first five starts.

The comments came on Monday, after ESPN Cleveland's Aaron Goldhammer floated trade scenarios on his "Unsportsmanlike" podcast. Goldhammer suggested that the team could draft a quarterback in the top two next year and move Sanders elsewhere.

"No one is trading for Shedeur. No one. Who wants the cult and the stupid questions moving to their locker room? Shedeur goes somewhere else when the Browns muster the courage to waive him," Whitlock tweeted.

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Cleveland (3-12) has lost seven of its last eight games following Sunday's defeat to Buffalo. The loss moved the Browns to third in the 2026 NFL draft order, jumping Tennessee but trailing Las Vegas and the New York Giants.

Browns closing in on No. 1 selection as Shedeur Sanders questions loom

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The pathway to the top pick is simple for Cleveland. They'll have to lose both remaining games and hope the Giants or Raiders pick up one more win before the regular season ends.

The Browns are guaranteed a top-two selection if they fall to the Steelers in Week 17. The Giants and the Raiders will face each other on Sunday, so one team will get a victory.

Shedeur Sanders threw for 157 yards and a touchdown against the Bills but also tossed two interceptions. However, he was commended by Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski for playing through an injury.

"He battled like he does," Stefanski said to reporters. "I thought he made some unbelievable plays with his feet today, which I thought going into the game that may be the case. He'll fight through injuries. A little finger injury is not going to keep him out of there."

The Browns will host the Steelers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez