As the Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 season, Shedeur Sanders has a chance to stake a claim to the starting quarterback position.

Former Browns safety Tyris Powell added to the expectations, saying that the young quarterback’s success will go a long way in determining the Browns’ season.

Powell said, “I think a successful season is that we need to know that one, Shedeur Sanders is the answer at quarterback.”

While Powell thinks Sanders has shown enough talent, he questioned whether he can deliver consistently.

“Does he turn down the turnovers?” Powell questioned. “I think that he can handle the clutch time. I think he has that gene in him.”

In his rookie season, Sanders played 8 games, throwing for 1,400 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. The Browns finished with a 3-5 record when he started.

Powell seems to think that the Browns are centering their roster around giving Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove himself. The Browns are making multiple decisions around their offensive line to protect Sanders, enabling him to make better plays.

Powell also said that a middling offensive finish should count as a successful season for the Browns.

“A successful season for the Cleveland Browns would be if this offense finishes somewhere in the middle of the pack. If they do that, you might be seeing themselves teetering that playoff line,” he said.

With the bar set high, this could be a make-or-break season for young Shedeur, given he carries the Sanders name.

The Browns' quarterback position is A Game of Musical Chairs

The starting quarterback position remains up for grabs as the Browns are set to evaluate their options.

New head coach Todd Monken spoke highly of Sanders’ ability, but stopped short of naming who will start the season.

Speaking about Sanders, Monken said, “I think what you see is elite playmaking ability. That’s in him. Sure, there’s a way to go, but what rookie isn’t? I’m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players. Sure, I think it’s an open competition.”

With Deshaun Watson entering his final year on his $230 million 4-year contract, questions remain whether he might start the season ahead of Sanders.

Rookie Dillion Gabriel, who started a few games in the 2025 season after the departure of Joe Flacco, also remains in contention for the top spot. The upcoming training camp should give us an indication of the Browns’ plans.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Kalp Thaker