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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is not guaranteed the starting spot.
The Cleveland Browns are set to explore all their options at quarterback this offseason, and one name to watch is former New Orleans Saints starter Spencer Rattler.
Rattler has 14 starts under his belt with the Saints, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. He’s gone just 1-13 in his starts but has shown decent quarterback play. Rattler has passed for 2,903 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
It’s not an outstanding resume but he’s been floated as a potential upgrade over what the Browns’ quarterback room is currently made up of. Cleveland has Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract heading into next season.
“Current New Orleans Saints backup Spencer Rattler could be available in a trade, and he would be the perfect addition to the mess that we call the Browns’ quarterback room,” Michael Hanley of Dawg Pound Daily said. “Now that Shough is the assumed starter in New Orleans moving forward, Rattler could be available for a small price in a trade. It may only take a late-round pick to get a deal done. If that’s the case, the Browns should make an offer before another QB-needy team does.”
Browns Undecided on Shedeur Sanders
Rattler is a strong buy-low candidate, but not really what the Browns need. He’d further muddy the waters in Cleveland, where new head coach Todd Monken is still sorting out his depth chart.
Sanders is the frontrunner to be the starter when camp opens. However, Monken declined to give him an edge when asked about the polarizing fifth-round pick during his introductory press conference.
“Well, I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” Monken said when asked directly about Sanders. “Am I excited about Shedeur? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Sanders went 3-4 as a rookie, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was named a Pro Bowl replacement, which was more a testament to his popularity than his play.
Browns Unsure if Starting QB Will be Internal or External Candidate
Browns general manager Andrew Berry echoed Monken’s stance on Sanders, acknowledging clear progress while keeping all options open at quarterback.
“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today, you know, whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external.”
This year’s draft class isn’t viewed as quarterback-heavy, but there is talent at the top. Indiana Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, while Alabama’s Ty Simpson has also generated potential first-round buzz.
That landscape matters for Cleveland, which holds two first-round selections at No. 6 and No. 24. However, the Browns have lots of holes on their roster to fill, particularly on the offensive line and at receiver.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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