The Cleveland Browns reportedly will look to draft a new quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski named Shedeur Sanders the starter for the rest of the season. Then, just recently, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot revealed that Cleveland believes Sanders can be their long-term answer at quarterback and won’t draft a quarterback in April.
However, on Wednesday, Browns insider Tony Rizzo reported that Cleveland now plans on drafting a quarterback.
“I’m hearing the Browns are leaning towards taking a quarterback in the April draft,” Rizzo said on ESPN Cleveland. “The lack of prep or reps definitely showed up. Has he progressed? Yes? Is he accurate? Yes. Is he good downfield? Yes.”
If the Browns do go out and draft a quarterback in 2026, it likely means Sanders’ time as the starting quarterback in Cleveland is done.
Sanders could once again change the Browns’ thinking in the final three games of the season. But, for now, it appears that Sanders’ time as Cleveland’s starting quarterback is coming to an end.
Insider Claimed Browns Wouldn’t Draft a QB
Rizzo’s report comes just days after Cabot said otherwise.
Cabot reported before the game against the Chicago Bears that the Browns were leaning towards sticking with Sanders in 2026.
“I think he’s shown enough traits now that there’s something to this young man and something worth building on here,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. “He’s done some remarkable things already, despite the fact that he didn’t start practicing with the starters before his first start four weeks ago.
“There’s something here. I think the Browns are going to conclude at the end of the four-game stretch, the seven starts for seven starters for Shedeur Sanders, I just have a feeling that they’re going to analyze the whole thing and decide they want to move forward with him. I can’t say for sure, yet. But it sort of has that vibe, feels like it’s almost kind of trending in that direction.”
However, Sanders threw three interceptions on Sunday, although one wasn’t his fault as Jerry Jeudy dropped a clean pass. So, the poor performance against the Bears could have led to the new decision on the Browns’ future at quarterback.
Kevin Stefanski Praises Shedeur Sanders
Although the Browns will start Sanders again on Sunday, he may not be the long-term answer.
However, Stefanski did praise Sanders for the way he’s handled himself this week, especially after a poor performance against the Bears on Sunday.
“Oh, yeah. He’s got the same attitude every single day, which you expect from quarterbacks. You have to, in this league be able to turn the page after a loss,” Stefanski said on Wednesday. “You gotta be able to turn the page after a win. You just can’t take that previous game with you and I think he does a great job of that.”
Sanders went 18-of-35 for 177 yards and three interceptions against the Bears. The poor performance came just one week after a 364-yard passing game with three touchdowns.
Cleveland will host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
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