Browns could make franchise-altering Shedeur Sanders decision after 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns have spent years searching for a long-term answer at quarterback. The 2026 season could determine whether Shedeur Sanders receives that opportunity or becomes another name in the franchise's lengthy history of failed experiments.
Cleveland enters the season with Sanders competing against Deshaun Watson, whose fully guaranteed $230 million contract finally expires after 2026. Watson has appeared in only 19 games since Cleveland acquired him from the Houston Texans in 2022. He has thrown 19 touchdown passes, and the Browns have gone 9-10 in his starts.
Sanders received his first extended NFL opportunity late last season. The former fifth-round pick started Cleveland's final seven games, posting a 3-4 record with seven touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and an 18.9 QBR. Those numbers did not establish Sanders as the Browns' future, but his offseason improvement kept him in the competition.
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