When the Cleveland Browns get back on the practice field in late July, all eyes are going to be on the quarterback position, and who will be winning the starting job under first-year head coach Todd Monken. 

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are in a two-man race for the starting job in Cleveland. Watson is trying to make a big return happen from his Achilles injury two seasons ago, while Sanders is trying to show he can be the team’s QB of the future in his second season. 

At this time, it feels like Watson is the leader after OTAs and is the favorite to win the job. It’s led to some rumors being out there that Sanders could end up being traded out of Cleveland. 

Shedeur Sanders trade talk has been addressed ahead of July 

Last week rumors started swirling around the possibility of the Browns moving Sanders. While it’s not out of the realm of possibility, it makes no sense for a team that knows they can’t put all their eggs in the basket of rolling with Watson, even if he does start Week 1. 

“Anything out there about like they’re looking to trade him, I would put zero stock in that,” Pelissero said recently on The Rich Eisen Show. “If I were sitting here right now, June 24th, and had to make an educated guess, I’d say he and Deshaun Watson are both on the team in September, and quite possibly both play.”

If the last few years have shown the Browns anything, it has to be that Watson can’t be counted on to start an entire season. The highly paid quarterback has played no more than seven games in a season with the Browns over the last four years between suspension and injury. The Browns have had to start multiple quarterbacks every season in order to get by. 

Sanders gives the Browns a youth option that has shown the ability to potentially be good enough in the NFL with a rocky rookie season. The former fifth-round pick had seven passing touchdowns in seven starts a year ago, but also threw 10 interceptions. Processing and decision-making have to be better for Sanders to have a shot, but he’s easily the next closest player to being a starter past Watson on the roster. 

All signs point toward the Browns getting their quarterback of the future in the 2027 NFL Draft. It would take a real surprise this season for it not to happen. In the meantime, trading Sanders makes no sense. He’s a player who does sell tickets and brings attention to the team, the Browns will keep that around for one more year at least.