Cleveland Browns star Shedeur Sanders' 2026 season may not be fun for the QB.
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders has been predicted to have a sophomore slump.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes there are too many things that "need to go right for Sanders to have a sophomore breakout."
Sanders is competing with Deshaun Watson for the Browns' starting QB spot.
"There are too many things that need to go right for Sanders to have a sophomore breakout," Kay wrote. "He may eventually develop into a franchise passer, but expecting a massive Year 2 leap isn't realistic."
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He went 3-4 as a starter.
Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl in 2025 as a replacement selection. He's one of the most popular players in the NFL because of who his dad is.
Cleveland went 5-12 last season. Todd Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired and joined the Atlanta Falcons as their new HC.
According to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, Watson is the front-runner for the starting spot. However, if Sanders plays well in training camp and in the preseason, he could overtake Watson.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland drafted Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Austin Barber, Parker Brailsford, Justin Jefferson, Joe Royer, Taylen Green and Carsen Ryan.
If Sanders beats Watson to earn the starting QB job, he will have to be a better passer to have success, per Kay.
"Despite the promise Sanders showed in Year 1, it remains to be seen if he'll go on to have a successful NFL career," Kay wrote. "The QB finished 2026 having completed an unsightly 56.6 percent of his throws while getting picked off 10 times and taking 23 sacks. His QBR was a concerning 18.8—the lowest of any rookie passer in Cleveland history who made at least six starts—and the team averaged just 14.6 points from Week 12 on when he became the starter."
It will be fascinating to see who the Browns' starting QB is next season. Cleveland has been looking for a franchise QB for a long, long time.
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