There’s no doubt that all eyes were on the Cleveland Browns from the very start of the preseason, after they selected the high-profile Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of last year’s Draft. It’s worth remembering that this media-friendly quarterback was projected to go in the first round. However, that didn’t happen, and since then he has had to endure a challenging path just to earn a real opportunity in the NFL.

Shedeur Sanders began the season as the fourth-string quarterback for the franchise. It wasn’t until Week 10, when Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens, that Sanders took control of the offense-and he never let go. He showed flashes of promise but also some negatives, finishing with a 3-4 record. However, his future remains uncertain.

One major source of controversy was the reportedly strained relationship between Shedeur Sanders and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Over time, as Sanders led the offense, things began to change, and by the end of the season, Sanders showed respect for his head coach, who has since been dismissed by the Browns.

Shedeur Sanders has faced heavy criticism

Beyond the fact that the Browns currently lack a clear starting quarterback, three quarterbacks are under contract for the next season: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. The key question is whether Sanders will be the starting quarterback next season. While he was the best of the three who played in 2025, that may not be enough.

Jason Lloyd, a columnist for The Athletic, criticized Sanders and suggested he shouldn’t remain with the team next year: “Shedeur should not be on this team next year. He’s not good enough to be the starter and this organization is not stable and mature enough to have him as a backup… I think he’s a really good kid, it’s just the nonsense that comes with it,” Lloyd said on 92.3 The Fan Cleveland.

In 8 games-7 as a starter-Shedeur Sanders finished with 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions. The main issue for the quarterback was that he would start games strong but fade as they progressed. The reality is that he didn’t practice with the first team until he was officially announced as the starter before Week 11.

It remains to be seen what will happen next. Before anything else, the Cleveland Browns need a head coach for the upcoming season. There’s also a clear possibility of a trade involving Shedeur Sanders, making the next preseason a crucial period for information and evaluation under Jimmy Haslam’s leadership.