The surprising part is which quarterback might be on the move.
ESPN Cleveland's Tony Rizzo reported that the Browns are fielding trade calls on Shedeur Sanders, even as the team publicly frames the second-year quarterback as part of an open competition.
"There are talks and ongoing calls about the availability of Shedeur Sanders," Rizzo said. "The Browns, for whatever reason, don't think he's the guy. That's my opinion. And I'm sure they'll say, 'What are you talking about? He's in a quarterback battle.' OK. But I'm going to say right now, for the record, I don't think the four quarterbacks are going to camp on July 28. Nothing is imminent, but the calls are being made, and I think it's probably in the best interest of both parties here."
Why This Is Surprising
Most signs from the spring pointed to Sanders being squarely in the thick of the battle with Deshaun Watson.
He took meaningful reps, drew praise from head coach Todd Monken, and appeared to close the gap as minicamp wrapped up.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The Browns are reportedly fielding trade calls for star QB Shedeur Sanders...
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 22, 2026
"There are talks. Ongoing calls about the availability of Shedeur Sanders. The Browns, for whatever reason, don’t think he’s the guy that, that’s my opinion."
Deshaun Watson's impact is… pic.twitter.com/3EXVhAKq3q
When minicamp ended, Monken said the quarterback competition would carry into training camp and pushed back on the notion that not naming a starter put the team in a bad spot.
"It would be if I didn't think either one of them were capable of starting," Monken said. "It would feel different if I didn't feel like their progression hadn't gotten to this point where I think they both can start and play winning football. I'm convinced of it."
The Context Behind the Calls
Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, started the most games of any Browns quarterback in 2025, going 3-4 as a starter while completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The Browns' quarterback room also includes Watson, fellow second-year passer Dillon Gabriel, and sixth-round rookie Taylen Green.
Carrying four quarterbacks into camp would be a lot, which is part of what makes a move feel likely.
I think he’s a franchise QB and getting him out of Cleveland will be a plus for him… the Saints would be a great fit for him! https://t.co/UaTATZcN9d
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 22, 2026
After trading Myles Garrett to the Rams this offseason, the Browns are clearly continuing to rebuild and accumulate future draft capital.
Rizzo, despite reporting the calls, made his own opinion clear that Cleveland should keep Sanders.
"This year should be the year to see about Shedeur," he said. "Let this kid play. Let's see what this kid can do. I'm not saying hand the guy the job. I'm saying, see what you got in this guy."
Nothing is imminent, per Rizzo, but the fact that the calls are being made at all raises real questions about how the Browns truly view their most-watched young player.
