CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
Feb 12, 2026, 5:25 AM CUT
Cleveland Browns Labeled as Only Franchise to Give Shedeur Sanders a Week 1 Start
After a not-so-good rookie season, will Shedeur Sanders be the QB1 of the Cleveland Browns?
That's a question we are all waiting for an answer to. But Ken Carman said on 92.3 The Fan that if Sanders were to be QB1, it would only happen with the Browns.
"When it comes to Shedeur...you need the Browns. Because here is the place where he has a chance to start week one. Where else in the NFL does he have a chance to start week one right off the top of your head? Where does he have a chance?"
We saw hints of it back in the 2025 draft, where Sanders was predicted to be a round 1 pick. But the NFL franchises kept passing on him until the Browns drafted him in round 5, 144th overall.
Even they did not make him QB1 until Dillon Gabriel had a concussion.
Was his performance up to the mark? Sanders recorded 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 8 games in 2025. He ended the season with a QBR of 18.9, the lowest ever for a Browns quarterback with at least six starts.
His EPA is -0.21. This makes his first 7 starts sit at 167th out of 184 NFL QBs in Expected Points Added per dropback since 2000. Among QBs with an EPA of -0.18 or lower (Sanders’ range), only Jared Goff and Alex Smith (about 8%) went on to have productive careers.
The question is legit: Why would any team start him? Even the Browns have refused to commit to him, with GM Andrew Berry saying that they will be looking in the QB market. Who could replace him?
Reports Suggest A 9x Pro Bowler Can Replace Shedeur Sanders
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report has predicted that the Cleveland Browns could acquire 9-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson during the upcoming offseason.
"Russell Wilson has an expiring contract with the New York Giants, and he told reporters that he's not ready to retire. Wilson may have another solid year left in him with a team that plays in his home state of Ohio. ...Wilson can bring experience and stability to the Browns' quarterback situation."
In March 2025, Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants worth $10.5 million, which has now ended.
He has thrown for 46,966 yards and 353 touchdowns, earning nine Pro Bowl selections in 14 seasons. Wilson has won a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and a Super Bowl.
Would you take him as the Browns QB1 in 2026? Tell us in the comments.
Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!
Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu