With Deshaun Watson becoming a capable starter for the Cleveland Browns, questions have arisen regarding whether that might lead to backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders being traded.
The Browns are not expected to trade Sanders for multiple reasons, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. The team still believes in his growth and ability, and he is under contract for another two seasons after this one. In addition, Browns general manager Andrew Berry is said to have a “great affection” for Sanders.
Sanders’ contract status is important, as Watson will be a free agent at the end of the season. He has certainly rebuilt his value this season, but whether the Browns would actually want to bring him back is a different question.
Sanders likely hoped to be starting by this point of the season, and had reason to think it might happen early on. Watson, however, has played well enough to keep the job, with the Browns 3-2 in his five starts so far. Sanders, however, struggled last season, though he did seem to have made some improvement during the preseason.
There had been some suggestions that a quarterback-needy team could try to trade for Sanders before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The Browns are unlikely to pick up the phone.
