CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 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 Icon260104136

Jul 25, 2026, 12:49 PM CUT

Shedeur Sanders predicted to warm the bench during Week 1 in bold prediction

The Cleveland Browns' training camp will run from July 28 to August 25th, and it will deliver answers to the franchise's biggest questions: the QB room. However, even before Day 1 of camp, an NFL insider has dropped his own QB prediction, putting Shedeur Sanders on notice.

SB Nation NFL insider Jarrett Bailey recently released a 61-prediction report in which he suggested the Browns will bench Shedeur Sanders in Week 1 and give Deshaun Watson the chance to start.

“Todd Monken chooses Watson to be the Week 1 starter against the Jaguars, which ends in a 24-16 loss to Jacksonville,” wrote Bailey.

Before making that prediction, Jarrett Bailey argued that the Browns have the worst quarterback situation in league history, calling the choice between Sanders and Watson a pick between two bad options.

“This Browns quarterback room may be the worst in NFL history. Having to choose between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is like choosing between a long, torturous death or a torturous, long death,” wrote SB Nation NFL Insider Jarrett Bailey.

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

Deshaun Watson was ahead of Sanders during the OTAs and minicamps, and while Todd Monken hasn't said a word about who will start the game for the Browns, many insiders believe that it will ultimately be Watson.

The head coach, on the other hand, expressed that both QBs have impressed him during spring practices.

“Whether it's Shedeur, whether it's Deshaun or whether it's Dillon, our quarterback situation, you've got to find a way to write that," Monken said during his conversation with ESPN. "I do think Deshaun and Shedeur had really good springs. I really believe it’s no better time to be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns."

If we listen to the analysts, it is near certain that Sanders is out of the race. However, there's someone who believes that the race is still on.

Pat McAfee throws weight behind Shedeur Sanders for the job

While analysts believe Deshaun Watson would take the QB1 job from Sanders, Pat McAfee is banking on the young QB. The Pat McAfee Show host said he wants Sanders to make a statement this season and prove he can be one of the best QBs in the league.

“I hope Shedeur does good and the Browns win. I hope they win. We would like to see the Browns fans and faithful have happiness. We would like to see that. I would like to see that, personally,” McAfee said on the July 23 edition of The Pat McAfee Show.

Last season, Sanders started seven of his eight appearances, going 3-4 while completing 56.6% of his throws for 1,400 yards.

He had seven touchdowns and 10 picks. All told, he had one of the worst rookie seasons in recent memory. But despite that, many have backed Sanders to play his best.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey