What does this mean for Sanders’ future?
By all accounts, Shedeur Sanders has continued to improve behind the scenes. After each practice, there is extra work for Sanders and some of the reserves and “his development happens every day,” one source said. While he had a long way to go upon arriving as a fifth-round draft pick from Colorado, Sanders has worked and learned.
It’s clear Gabriel was ahead of him in training camp, and that has continued.
As to why Sanders is not the backup QB on Sunday, there is one specific reason.
The Browns want Sanders to be successful when he’s out there. When he plays, they want him to do so with a game plan that is made for him to thrive. As the backup, if he was forced into action, he’d be running a game plan built for Gabriel, rather than one built to his strengths. Is that fair to Sanders?
The expectation is that Sanders will play at some point this season when he’s ready. When he does play, it would be with a full week of practice and a game plan built for him.
Sanders made news this past week when he silently pantomimed answers to questions regarding the Browns’ QB situation. Sources say Sanders had a discussion with team officials that his approach to that media session was a message that got lost in translation.
How does 2026 impact Cleveland’s QB evaluation?
The Browns have two first-round picks for the 2026 draft and no clear franchise QB on the roster. Evaluating for the future at the most important position is part of Cleveland’s plans for this season. If Gabriel or Sanders emerges in a real way this year, that makes next year easier. If Deshaun Watson, who re-ruptured his Achilles this offseason and remains on the roster with his entire 2026 salary guaranteed, ends up on the field, that will add to the evaluation. Watson playing in 2025, however, is considered unlikely.
Cleveland hopes to have some answers before it decides how to proceed with valuable draft capital for next season. Every QB start — beginning with Gabriel on Sunday in London — will play into it.