Shedeur Sanders barely played for the Cleveland Browns this season after entering 2026 as Deshaun Watson’s backup.
Sanders competed with Watson for the starting job throughout training camp and the preseason, but head coach Todd Monken ultimately chose Watson to open the season. Monken said the decision was based on a full body of work from the offseason, training camp, preseason and joint practices.
The Browns are now off to a 2-1 start, and Watson remains atop the depth chart heading into Thursday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders is listed directly behind him.
Shedeur Sanders remains the Browns Backup
Photos by Ken Blaze-Imagn
Watson’s performances prevented Cleveland from making a change at quarterback. He struggled in a season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but responded with victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.
Against the Panthers, Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned after briefly leaving the game with an undisclosed injury and led the Browns on the winning touchdown drive.
Sanders finally made his 2026 regular-season debut in that game, but his opportunity was very limited. He came in for a play late in the fourth quarter while Watson was temporarily out and completed his only pass attempt for no gain. Watson returned soon after.
Browns Have No Immediate Plans to Start Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland’s official Week 4 depth chart continues to list Watson as QB1 and Sanders as QB2. Taylen Green was third.
The Browns’ 2-1 start also lessened the immediate pressure to change quarterbacks. Watson has thrown multiple touchdown passes without an interception in each of his last two games, giving Monken reason to maintain the current arrangement.
Therefore, Sanders enters Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh in the same backup role he has held since the start of the season. Unless Watson is injured or Cleveland changes its strategy, Sanders’ playing time is expected to remain limited.
The former Colorado star finished his 2025 rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while starting seven games. Sanders was the starting quarterback when the Browns and Steelers last met in 2025. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
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