Is Shedeur Sanders on his way out? Browns getting calls about the QB, and his future looks uncertain

The Cleveland Browns are approaching training camp with the same question that has followed the franchise for years being, who is actually going to play quarterback?

This time, the answer has become even more complicated. Shedeur Sanders has reportedly made a serious push in the competition with Deshaun Watson, but new trade chatter around the second-year passer has created another layer of uncertainty before camp opens July 28.

Deion Sanders celebrates Shedeur’s reported record-breaking $17.7 million licensing success

The Browns haven’t publicly said they are shopping Sanders. They have also continued to frame the quarterback competition as open. But ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo said teams have been checking on Sanders’ availability, raising the possibility that Cleveland may not carry all four quarterbacks into camp.

“There are talks, ongoing calls about the availability of Shedeur Sanders,” Rizzo said. “The Browns, for whatever reason, don’t think he’s the guy.”

Rizzo made clear he was giving his own view of the situation, but he didn’t back away from the idea that movement could still happen.

“That’s my opinion and I’m sure they’ll say, ‘What are you talking about? He’s in a quarterback battle,’” Rizzo continued. “But I’m going to say right now for the record, I don’t think the four quarterbacks are going to camp on July 28. I don’t. 

“Nothing is imminent. But the calls are being made. And I think it’s probably in best interest of both parties here.”

Sanders has turned up the pressure

The strange part is that Sanders hasn’t looked like an afterthought. He entered the league as a fifth-round pick, but his play and development have reportedly helped him close ground on Watson.

That matters because Watson remains one of the NFL’s most complicated quarterback evaluations. The Browns made a massive investment in him, but injuries, inconsistency and time away from the field have prevented Cleveland from getting the return it expected.

If Watson wins the job, he will still need to show early that he can stabilize the offense. Former NFL star Chad Johnson has suggested Watson may only have a short window to prove he deserves to keep the role.

Sanders, meanwhile, gives Cleveland a younger option with upside and a fan base still intrigued by what he could become.

Trading Sanders would carry risk

A trade might make sense if the Browns don’t view Sanders as their future starter and believe his value is higher now than it was on draft night. 

Teams looking for quarterback help could see him as a low-cost gamble with developmental potential. But moving him would also leave Todd Monken leaning on Watson and Dillon Gabriel, a risky plan if neither separates clearly in camp.

There are also questions Sanders still needs to answer. Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly recently said: “He has a hesitation that’s ingrained in him. The NFL is too fast for him.”

That concern is real, but so is Cleveland’s uncertainty at the position. The Browns may only be listening. They may be doing more.