Shedeur Sanders is coming off a Pro Bowl selection from his rookie year. But NFL insider Nate Davis says that Sanders is walking on thin ice, given his underwhelming rookie year in 2025. He needs to prove his potential with a “standout season.”

“Sanders is merely a former fifth-rounder despite the ability he showcased in college and flashed as a rookie,” wrote Nate Davis, NFL analyst. “They’re now currently locked in a battle for the QB1 job, Watson perhaps pulling ahead even as new head coach, Todd Monken, keeps mum."

For Davis, Sanders' overall No. 144 pick explains everything alongside his 7:10 TD-to-interception ratio over his 1,400 passing yards last year. Regardless, the real warning arrived in the pressure that now comes with a reinforced receiving unit, unlike last year.

"Given the amount of talent GM Andrew Berry has provided this year, both in terms of a radically revamped offensive line and new wideouts in the draft, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston," Davis added. "One of these QBs better have a standout season if they’re going to dissuade Berry from taking another passer in the 2027 Draft.”

At Colorado, in the two years (2023-2024), Sanders played 24 games, gained 7,364 yards, with a 71.8% completion rate.

Contrastingly, in his rookie year, his completion rate was 56.6%, earning him a low QBR of 18.9.

Sanders now has an opportunity but also a final chance to perform at his best and pause the Browns’ plans by giving them a reason not to add one more QB in 2027.

Overtaking Watson and bagging that QB1 status would do wonders for the 24-year-old’s NFL future, as this would only be his sophomore year in the NFL.

In fact, there are a few others who have been echoing this sentiment for the upcoming season.

More NFL Insiders Preparing Sanders For The Worst 

NFL insiders have been following the Browns’ QB situation closely, focusing on Sanders’ NFL future.

Browns journalist Mary Kay Cabot reported that Watson gained an inside track over Sanders during the minicamp. Tyler Erzberger also gave a reality check to Sanders. 

“To make matters more confusing for Sanders and Browns fans, the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft might be one of the richest in terms of QB prospects we’ve ever seen,” says Tyler Erzberger. “...If Sanders, Watson, Gabriel and Green don’t show enough to lock down that spot in 2026, they might add a new Carr to the ranks.”

The clock is ticking for Sanders. While he has the backing of some stellar performances at Colorado, Coach Prime's son would be eager to show the NFL what he is capable of in 2026.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote