Sanders started the final seven games of his rookie year, compiling 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, plus 169 rushing yards and a rushing score. Entering Year 2, he faces an open quarterback competition under new head coach Todd Monken, with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel also on the roster. Monken has described the position as an open competition, noting there isn’t enough on film to declare a clear starter.
The Browns’ QB race is a central storyline for Cleveland, especially as the team looks to balance cost-controlled upside with the longer-term implications of the Watson trade. Insiders have suggested Sanders is a leading option early in the process, though an official determination remains unsettled as offseason practices and evaluations continue. Analysts have emphasized Sanders’ elite playmaking potential as a key factor in the competition.
Monken has repeatedly highlighted Sanders’s on-field traits, calling his playmaking ability “elite” and noting that development is a natural part of any first-year quarterback. Sanders is viewed as a potential long-term answer for Cleveland, especially if he can progress within Monken’s system and demonstrate consistent decision-making and efficiency.
If Sanders progresses as anticipated, he could offer the Browns a cost-controlled quarterback with upside, aligning with the team’s broader goal of stabilizing the position and building around a young core. The evolving QB competition remains a focal point for Cleveland as the offseason moves toward training camp and the start of the 2026 season.
In the meantime, Sanders’ offseason work and the public reception to the new footage have kept him at the center of the Browns’ quarterback dialogue. As the team evaluates options, his progression will be closely watched by fans and analysts seeking clarity on Cleveland’s long-term plans at the position.
