The Cleveland Browns‘ ongoing quarterback shuffle took a dramatic turn Sunday as rookie Shedeur Sanders delivered a breakout performance against the Tennessee Titans.
Sanders piled up 364 passing yards and three touchdowns, plus a late rushing score, a 60-yard dagger to Jerry Jeudy, and two sharp red-zone throws to the back pylon.
Even in a 31-29 loss, his breakout effort shifted the narrative around Cleveland’s quarterback situation.
On ESPN’s First Take, Chris Canty argued Sanders “can factor into the equation” for Cleveland beyond 2025, noting the big-time throws and late-game composure that could let him serve as a bridge.
“I do think that Shedeur Sanders can help himself over the last month of the regular season,” Canty said. “What we got on Sunday against the Titans was huge. You’re talking about a guy being able to mount a comeback, being down double digits in the fourth quarter. The throws that he was making, those are big-boy throws… The Browns’ passing offense has been missing that for years.”
“Is he a finished product? No. There’s plenty of room to grow. But I do think, as we get ready for a quarterback class that isn’t as strong as we initially thought it would be in 2026, having Shedeur Sanders as your bridge option until you find out what’s definitely next is not a bad way for the Cleveland Browns organization to go.”
Read More: Concerning Anthony Richardson News Emerges After Daniel Jones Injury
Dillon Gabriel has taken the majority of first-team snaps this season, and the Browns recently opened a practice window for veteran Deshaun Watson as he continues rehabilitation, though sources say a Watson return this year remains improbable.
Meanwhile, Sanders, Cleveland’s fifth-round pick out of Colorado in 2025, has steadily worked his way up from the depth chart.
Through four appearances, he has amassed 769 passing yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions, along with 50 rushing yards and one rushing TD.
His debut start produced 209 yards, one passing TD, and one INT, but Sunday’s performance marked his first 300-yard game and his most complete showing to date.Â
Read More: Bengals Cut Ties With Former Third-Round Pick Day After His Suspension
Several outlets and major NFL draft boards list a handful of likely first-rounders, notably Oregon’s Dante Moore, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson, but many mocks suggest there will not be a deep, surefire class at the top.
For the Browns front office, weighing whether to draft at the top of a murky 2026 QB class, Sanders’ remaining starts provide valuable insight into their current options.
Cleveland’s remaining schedule includes at the Bears (Week 15), vs. the Bills (Week 16), vs. the Steelers (Week 17), and at the Bengals (Week 18).