A former lifelong cornerback of the Cleveland Browns has spoken up. He has championed Shedeur Sanders as the starting quarterback for the season, as he still fights for the position against Deshaun Watson. 

“I did say we had him, our quarterback, our franchise quarterback,” Hanford Dixon said on June 29. “I said ‘I’d like to see Shedeur get a chance.’ Hopefully he is the guy. If he's the guy, I want you to come to me and say ‘Hanford, I'm sorry.’”

Dixon, a guest of Chris McNeil and Gab Kreuz, made his case for Sanders on the BIGPLAY Cleveland podcast. He discussed whether everyone is overlooking the 24-year-old’s offensive rebuild this offseason. 

Sanders did not start his rookie season as the QB1 but ended it as one. The Browns sent him on the field after Dillon Gabriel concussed himself in Week 10, ending his season. Sanders had to face being the backup last season, and this season appears to hold up a pattern. 

While his 1,400 passing yards for seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions weren’t impressive, Sanders made the most of the remaining games in the season. His journey of rebuilding his offense started in 2025. There was a significant improvement in his completion rate. 

Sanders went from 25 percent in Week 10, as he played in a limited capacity, to 73.9 percent against the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing against his four-time MVP counterpart, Aaron Rodgers. Dixon stated that Sanders needs the chance, perhaps a solid chance and faith from the franchise, to prove himself.

However, Watson's veteran experience and three Pro Bowl selections stand in Sanders' way. His campaign to win the starting position has been made difficult since a healthy Watson returned from his injury to play in his last season with the Browns. Apart from Watson, Sanders has something else to be worried about. 

Another iconic Cleveland Browns player warns the franchise against Shedeur Sanders trade

Joe Thomas left the Browns as one of their best offensive linemen. An avid follower of the development in his former franchise, Thomas weighed in on Shedeur Sanders’ journey in the team. He, for one, is strongly against trading him. 

“Shedeur was forced into action in the middle of last year before he was ready. He had some high moments and some low moments, as you’d expect from any quarterback. He’s a development project,” he said on June 30. 

Thomas was talking on The Ken Carmen Show with Anthony Lima. He firmly stated that the team wouldn’t know Sanders’ capabilities unless he sticks around to find out.  

“Keep him around, and it’s more likely than not that he’ll have an opportunity to start, and then win that starting job for the long term if you keep him on the roster,” Thomas said. 

Sanders’ name has been associated with trade talk for a while now. As the Browns take their QB1 competition into training camp, the lack of an answer has fueled this conversation. What are your thoughts? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar