Browns GM: Shedeur made progress, new coach will have input on 2026 starter
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry voiced his optimism about fifth-round rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, though he's unsure if next season's starting signal-caller is already on the roster.
"I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year," Berry told reporters Monday. "That's both mentally, physically, (and) playing the position. He's still very much a work in progress, like many rookie quarterbacks are. But I think we saw some really good things in terms of his playmaking, his accuracy, his ability to extend with his feet."
Berry added that the Browns' next head coach will play a role in determining the team's future at quarterback after Cleveland fired sideline boss Kevin Stefanski earlier Monday.
"Now that all being said, we're going to do our work on the quarterback market," Berry said. "It's too important a position, and it's something that has to be solidified. I can't sit here and tell you today whether the starter in 2026 is internal or external, but it's something that we're going to work through over the next several weeks. The new head coach will also have a lot of input into that as well."
Sanders started training camp as the fourth-string quarterback but rose up the depth chart to end the year as the Browns' starter. The Colorado product went 3-4 over seven starts, completing 56.6% of his passes for seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 68.1 passer rating.
Sanders is one of three signal-callers the Browns have under contract for 2026, along with rookie Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, who missed the entire season while recovering from an Achilles tear.
Berry said he anticipates Watson being on the roster next season. Cleveland sent a large haul that included three first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson in 2022, then signed him to a fully guaranteed $230-million contract. However, the trade has been a spectacular disappointment, as Watson has mustered only a 9-10 record, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 19 starts with the Browns.
Cleveland went 5-12 this season, with Sanders, Gabriel, and veteran Joe Flacco each getting opportunities to start for the club. The trio combined for more interceptions (18) than touchdowns.