Overview
- Deshaun Watson is the Browns' active starter and has helped Cleveland to a 2-1 start, giving coaches reason to stick with him from week to week.
- The team lists Shedeur Sanders as the primary backup on the official depth chart and has used him only sparingly this season.
- Insiders including Ian Rapoport say Cleveland is not clearly moving to trade Sanders now and reporters indicate the team has no plan to trade its QBs before the November roster deadline.
- Sanders' rookie numbers — a 56.6 percent completion rate, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025 — are cited as evidence he still needs development before being a reliable long-term starter.
- Holding two 2027 first-round picks gives the Browns flexibility to pursue a quarterback prospect such as Trinidad Chambliss in mock drafts, which would likely make Sanders a trade candidate and force the team to weigh short-term momentum, contract cost, and potential return.