The Cleveland Browns are asked to no look no further than Shedeur Sanders when searching for their franchise quarterback.

After dropping to No. 144 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, where he was projected to get picked in the first round, Sanders waited for his time as the Browns mulled over Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel before finding their starting quarterback in the Colorado standout. Sanders did himself a huge favor by striking a win in his first match as the designated starting quarterback and though there were ups and downs in the games that followed, the Browns decided to stick with him.

Referencing the highlights from the 2025 season, NFL analyst Dov Kleiman had this to say in favor of the Browns retaining Sanders as franchise quarterback:

“Shedeur Sanders is going to be UNSTOPPABLE next season. It’s rare to see this much potential in a quarterback. Clearly the Browns have their franchise guy.”

Kleiman shared clips of some standout plays made by Sanders during the 2025 season, including the 66-yard touchdown pass against the Las Vegas Raiders and 52-yard completion early in the same game.

Shedeur Sanders is going to be UNSTOPPABLE next season.

It’s rare to see this much potential in a quarterback.

Clearly the Browns have their franchise guy. pic.twitter.com/fdjy2ak6KJ

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 16, 2026

The Browns will have a decision to make with Deshaun Watson aiming to return next season. Watson is entering the final year of his $230 million guaranteed contract and his contract was recently restructured to clear roughly $35 million in cap space. There’s debate on both sides, considering Watson’s poor performances and coming back from an Achilles injury.

More: Browns HC Todd Monken on Shedeur Sanders: ‘There’s something to work with there’

Shedeur Sanders’ rookie numbers don’t tell the full story

Shedeur Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards with seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions on 56.6% pass completion rate and 18.9 QB rating. On paper, these stats look below average, but they don’t tell the full story.

Let’s not forget that the fifth-round pick was thrown into action midseason without an adequate number of practice sessions with first teams in the preseason. He was launching attacks behind a fragile offensive line and he consistently improved. 

The rookie reportedly earned a 94.8 PFF grade (top 5 in his draft class) when it comes to deep passes. His best game arguably came against the Tennessee Titans, where he passed for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Not to forget his grit in the 13-6 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he compiled a modest stat line of 186 yards and one touchdown.

Now it’s entirely upon the Browns to duly consider Sanders for the starting role or pin their hopes on Watson to get them back to the playoffs.

More Browns news:

Browns’ Todd Monken gets honest about Shedeur Sanders positioning on Cleveland’s depth chart

Top NFL insider shuts down idea that Browns’ Shedeur Sanders will start in 2026

Browns get ‘dream’ scenario in NFL mock draft thanks to Chiefs trade

Browns’ Myles Garrett offseason program absence raises eyebrows around team