NFL Insider Suggests Browns 'Fear' Shedeur Sanders Becoming Next Baker Mayfield

With fifth-round draft pick Shedeur Sanders still seemingly nowhere close to taking over as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, it's fair to wonder if the team will eventually decide to part ways with him.

The Athletic's Jason Lloyd suggested on the Scoop City podcast that the Browns might be hesitant to release Sanders because of what happened with their former quarterback Baker Mayfield, who went on to shine after leaving Cleveland.

"I think it's a fear of that more so than the Deshaun (Watson) debacle, and it is a total debacle at this point," Lloyd said (34:55 mark). "I think it's just a fear of, could this guy develop elsewhere and then three years from now we're having the exact same conversation we are with Baker."

The Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in 2018, and he struggled early on in his career. Cleveland ultimately traded him away in 2022, and he's now emerged as an MVP candidate with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Given their history with Mayfield, it's understandable why the Browns might not want to part ways with Sanders just yet. For now, they'll look to develop him the best they can, while Sanders will look to earn some playing time.