Why the Cleveland Browns Need to Move On From Shedeur Sanders Immediately
Let’s be honest, being a Cleveland Browns fan is usually an exercise in masochism. It’s a franchise where hope goes to die, usually in the most spectacular, heart-breaking fashion possible. But the 2025 season brought a different flavor of dysfunction to the “Factory of Sadness,” and his name is Shedeur Sanders.
If you thought the drama would subside after the regular season ended, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to the circus that follows the Sanders family. With the offseason looming and a head coaching search underway, the buzz around Cleveland isn’t about rebuilding; it’s about whether the team can actually survive keeping Sanders on the roster. Spoiler alert: They probably can’t.
The “Prime” Effect vs. The Rookie Reality
Remember the hype? Sanders was projected as a first-round darling, the heir apparent to the NFL throne. Then reality—and the draft board—hit, and he slid all the way to the fifth round. For most rookies, that slice of humble pie would be a signal to put your head down and grind. For Sanders? It seems it was just fuel for a fire that ended up scorching the locker room.
When Sanders finally got his shot in Week 10 following Dillon Gabriel’s concussion, the narrative was set perfectly. The underdog story! The redemption arc! Instead, we got a 3-4 record that felt more like a rollercoaster with loose bolts. Sure, he threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. Those aren’t terrible numbers for a rookie thrust into the fire. But then you look at the other side of the stat sheet: 10 interceptions.
That is not a misprint. In just eight games (seven starts), Sanders was tossing the ball to the opposing team like he was getting a commission on turnovers. He would start games looking like a Pro Bowler and end them looking like he was playing Madden with a broken controller.
A “Hindrance” to the Franchise
It’s not just the on-field play that has people scratching their heads; it’s the vibes. And in the NFL, bad vibes get people fired. We already saw Kevin Stefanski get the boot, and reports suggest the friction between the head coach and his rookie quarterback was palpable.
Jason Lloyd of The Athletic didn’t mince words this week, and honestly, he’s saying what a lot of fans are thinking. Lloyd called Sanders a “hindrance” to the team.
“To me, Shedeur should not be on this team next year,” Lloyd said on 92.3 The Fan. “He’s not good enough to be the starter and this organization is not stable and mature enough to have him as a backup.”
Ouch. But is he wrong? The Browns are currently looking for a new head coach. Imagine sitting down with a prospective candidate—a Brian Flores or a Mike McCarthy—and trying to sell them on the job. “Hey, so we have a $230 million quarterback in Deshaun Watson returning, a solid backup in Gabriel, and a fifth-round rookie who brings a media circus and beefs with the coaching staff. You in?” Most sane coaches would run for the hills.
The Crowded Quarterback Room
Here is the logistical nightmare facing the Browns front office. Heading into 2026, they have three quarterbacks under contract: Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders.
Watson is going to play; the financial commitment demands it. Dillon Gabriel has proven he can be a steady hand. That leaves Sanders as the odd man out. Usually, a developing rookie is a luxury you keep on the practice squad or as a QB3. But Sanders isn’t a “quietly develop in the background” kind of guy. He brings a level of scrutiny and noise that usually is reserved for MVPs, not guys fighting for a roster spot.
As Lloyd pointed out, drafting another QB to sit above Sanders just restarts the cycle of drama. “Then all the stuff comes back again about Shedeur… Like no thanks, hard pass,” Lloyd noted. It’s a distraction that a team trying to rebuild its culture simply cannot afford.
What Happens Next for Sanders?
So, where does this leave us? The Browns are at a crossroads. They can try to salvage the relationship, hope Sanders matures, and risk alienating a new coaching staff before they even blow the whistle for the first practice. Or, they can cut their losses.
A trade seems like the most logical exit strategy, assuming another team wants to buy a ticket to the show. Sanders has talent—the flashes were there in 2025—but the baggage is heavy. This upcoming preseason is going to be a soap opera, and for a franchise that desperately needs stability, keeping Sanders might just be the most “Cleveland Browns” mistake they could possibly make.
If the Browns want to be taken seriously in 2026, they need to prioritize the team over the brand. And right now, the Sanders brand is writing checks his gameplay can’t cash.
