The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter, leaving Shedeur Sanders as the team’s backup after a competitive offseason battle. Sanders showed enough during the preseason to make the decision interesting, completing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
Now that Watson has won the job, Cleveland should at least listen to offers for Sanders. The former fifth-round pick started eight games as a rookie and threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Sanders would not necessarily start for the teams below. That is not the argument. However, a young quarterback with NFL starting experience can be valuable insurance for a contender, particularly when losing a QB1 can derail an otherwise competitive season.
MORE: What’s next for Shedeur Sanders after Deshaun Watson named Browns QB1?
NFL: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) watches against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Rams have Matthew Stafford, but their depth behind him is less proven. Stetson Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson are competing for backup duties, making Sanders an intriguing insurance option for a team built to contend now.
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Sanders would give Sean McVay a quarterback who has already experienced regular-season NFL pressure rather than relying entirely on developmental depth.
Baker Mayfield remains the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s unquestioned starter, but the Buccaneers could use more insurance behind him. Jake Browning has NFL experience, yet Sanders offers greater developmental upside and has already made eight starts.
Tampa would not be acquiring Sanders to challenge Mayfield. The appeal would be having another inexpensive option capable of stepping in if injuries strike.
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1). Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images.
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Jalen Hurts is firmly established as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, so Sanders would not have an immediate path to QB1. But Philadelphia has a rather questionable quarterback depth headlined by Tanner McKee and veteran Andy Dalton.
Adding Sanders would give the Eagles another young quarterback with starting experience who could be developed without the pressure of replacing Hurts, and particularly useful should the former Super Bowl MVP get hurt down the stretch.
The Baltimore Ravens are perhaps the most fascinating fit because they actually considered Sanders during the 2025 draft. ESPN reported that Baltimore planned to select him in the fifth round before Sanders made it known that he did not want to join a team where he would back up Lamar Jackson.
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That history makes a reunion unlikely, but the football logic remains. Jackson missed four games in 2025 after suffering a hamstring injury against Kansas City, and the Ravens’ offense struggled without him. And if that were to happen again, having a backup like Sanders could help keep the Ravens afloat.
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