If you thought Shedeur Sanders’ first home start would quiet the questions about Cleveland’s quarterback future, think again. An NFL expert just gave a tough reality check that will make Browns fans pay close attention. His words surprised many and made everyone wonder what would come next.

CBS Sports NFL writer Pete Prisco spoke after the Browns lost 26–8 to the San Francisco 49ers. He gave a very clear and strong opinion about Cleveland’s quarterback situation. Prisco’s comments showed exactly how serious the team’s decisions are now.

Prisco said that Shedeur Sanders is getting his chance to play, but the team is already thinking about the future. Cleveland has to look at both the present and what comes next. His words made it obvious that the Browns need to balance both.

“You know, what I would do if I were the Browns? I would spend a lot of time watching Fernando Mendoza for the next month and a half. I’d spend a lot of time watching [Dante] Moore if he comes out from Oregon,” Prisco said. “There’s a lot of quarterbacks out there. Their quarterback is not on their roster, period.” added the insider. He wanted to make it clear that Cleveland may not have the long-term answer right now.

Then Prisco gave a very blunt prediction about Shedeur Sanders. “This guy’s going to prove that he’s also not the long-term answer. Go into the draft and get yourself a long-term quarterback.” His words showed that the Browns may already be planning to find a new quarterback.

“They have two first-round picks, they’re going to get a quarterback next year,” Prisco explained. “But you at least have to give a look at Shedeur Sanders the rest of the way because you’ve already decided what you have in Dillon Gabriel and he’s not the answer.” Prisco added. He wanted the team to watch Sanders carefully while also preparing for the next season.

Has Shedeur Sanders Made a Case for Himself?

These comments came just a week after Sanders played well in his first road start against the Raiders. But San Francisco was a much tougher team, and the result showed both good and bad moments. Shedeur Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. His best moment was a perfect 34-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr., showing why his arm is so highly praised.

He also avoided turnovers again and completed 64 percent of his passes, keeping the same steady performance from Week 12. But the problems were clear. Shedeur Sanders took three sacks for a total loss of 34 yards, even against a 49ers defense that rarely pressures quarterbacks. Each negative play slowed the offense and caused stalled drives. With Sanders’s start now at 1–1, Cleveland still has work to do.

Cleveland’s draft position makes the situation even more important. The Browns have the fifth overall pick and the 26th pick from the Travis Hunter trade with Jacksonville. This gives them the chance to get almost any quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

CBS Sports’ latest mock draft has Cleveland picking Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. He has thrown for 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns, and only five interceptions while completing 72 percent of his passes. He also helped Indiana reach the Big Ten Championship Game, making him one of the top prospects.

Shedeur Sanders still has time to prove himself, but Prisco’s words show how high the stakes are. Cleveland will watch him closely, but the long-term search may already be in progress. And now the big question for everyone is, will the Browns’ next franchise quarterback be on their current roster, or will he come from the 2026 draft?

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi