CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 on the field during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221171
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 on the field during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221171
Feb 16, 2026, 4:26 PM CUT
NFL Analyst Backs Shedeur Sanders to Start for Browns Despite Subpar Rookie Season
Does Shedeur Sanders deserve a second chance at being the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback after his disastrous rookie season? One expert thinks so. Colin Cowherd, who has backed Sanders and given one simple explanation.
In his show The Herd, the NFL commentator said, “I would keep Shedeur Sanders. Why not? They’re still stuck with Deshaun Watson’s contract. I think he’s entertaining, merch sales, and interest. I like watching him play. I’d give him another year. You’re not a title team anyway.”
The debate around Sanders and the Browns’ starting quarterback position is still raging. He started in eight games midway through the 2025 season, after veteran Joe Flacco was traded early on and Dillon Gabriel was out with an injury.
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
Sanders was inconsistent, with seven touchdowns for 1,400 yards, throwing 10 interceptions, and getting sacked 23 times. His Week 14 performance against the Tennessee Titans was a bright spot, as he scored four scrimmage touchdowns.
And yet, he remains one of the most talked-about NFL players from 2025. He became a Pro Bowler in his debut season and was surrounded by media chatter throughout the season. In fact, his jersey sales matched the likes of Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, and even Josh Allen. Combined with his father Deion Sanders' reputation, Sanders is a media gold mine for the Browns.
Taking a note of Sanders’ media interactions, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said that “he’s larger than life in so many ways.”
But that's not the only reason to keep Sanders on board.
Shedeur Sanders' Clear Alternative is Deshaun Watson
When Cowherd briefly mentioned Watson’s contract, he brought up the Browns’ biggest jeopardy. Watson was traded to the franchise in 2021 in a $230 million contract.
He was signed for five years and has only one year left with the Browns.
Franchise owner Jimmy Haslam called this trade a “swing-and-a-miss” after Watson was out due to injury and played in only 19 games across four years.
And so far, he has scored 19 touchdowns for 3,365 yards. But as mentioned earlier, his contract is coming to an end, and the franchise does not have the bandwidth to draft another quarterback.
That leaves the Browns with Sanders. Do you think he deserves a second chance? Comment your thoughts!
Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar