Shedeur Sanders Discusses Browns Future, Potential as QB Amid NFL Rumors

Shedeur Sanders has had an up-and-down rookie season, and there's no guarantee that he'll be the Cleveland Browns starter next year.

The rookie quarterback discussed his future with the organization on Tuesday, saying he's focused on this season right now.

"I live in the present. I'm focused on this week and this game and each week and every game," Sanders said (43:19 mark). "Because nothing's promised going into next year or anything, so I stay in the moment, stay focused on what I have to do now to even be able to be here next year. I just enjoy life."

Sanders was also asked whether he feels a commitment from the Browns, to which he said it's on him to do his job on the field rather than worrying about front office and coaching decisions.

"I don't think it's about feeling a commitment. I don't think it's about anything like that," he said (46:09 mark). "It's about controlling what you can control as a person, as a player. I think I have to do my part and get some wins. I think I have to do my part and play clean football. The rest isn't in my hands."

Sanders has spent most of the 2025 campaign on the bench, but took over for the concussed Dillon Gabriel in Week 11 before earning the starting job the following week. Sanders has since been named the Browns' QB1 for the remainder of the season.

In his young NFL career, Sanders has fared about how you would expect a rookie to perform. Two weeks ago, against the Tennessee Titans, he looked outstanding, throwing for 364 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He followed that up with a 177-yard, three-interception game against the Chicago Bears.

On Sunday, Sanders was 20-of-29 passing with 157 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

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Sanders has shown flashes of potential, but has yet to establish much consistency so far. That makes him a bit difficult for the Browns to fully commit to this offseason.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported earlier this month that "some league sources have wondered" if Cleveland could attempt to trade either Sanders or Gabriel, noting that Deshaun Watson's contract is considered to be "unmovable" at this point.

If the Browns decide to move on from one of Sanders or Gabriel, they presumably would stick with Sanders since he more recently earned the starting nod. He's also on a slightly cheaper contract since he was drafted later than Gabriel.