The Shedeur Sanders Trade Dilemma: Why the Browns Rookie QB Remains on the Bench
As the NFL trade deadline approaches with just two days remaining, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders finds himself at the center of swirling trade rumors. Despite the Browns’ offensive struggles under fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, Sanders has yet to take a snap in regular season play, leading many fans to question the organization’s strategy with their young talent. This peculiar situation has left observers wondering whether the Browns are deliberately keeping Sanders on the bench to maintain his trade value, potentially using him as a valuable chip to acquire much-needed wide receiver help before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
The situation became clearer when Browns legend Joshua Cribbs, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro kick returner, offered insight during a recent appearance on “The Top Dawgs Show.” Cribbs didn’t mince words about what he believes is happening behind the scenes: “Shedeur Sanders has too much value at this pick for us not to get him,” he explained. “We can trade him. There’s teams right now that probably want—the Jets—probably want a Shedeur Sanders.” What’s particularly revealing is Cribbs’ assertion about why Sanders hasn’t played: “If he plays in the terrible offense right now that they’re showing, his value will go down.” According to Cribbs, the Browns are holding firm on their asking price, believing Sanders is worth no less than a second-round draft pick in return.
The New York Jets have emerged as a frequently mentioned destination for Sanders, which makes sense given their current quarterback situation. Justin Fields has struggled significantly, averaging just 155 passing yards per game, leaving the Jets’ offense sputtering despite having talented receivers like Garrett Wilson. Interestingly, Wilson himself has been rumored as a potential trade target for the Browns, though such a blockbuster swap appears increasingly unlikely as the deadline approaches. Nevertheless, the Jets’ quarterback issues make them a logical landing spot for a talented young passer like Sanders, who could potentially rejuvenate their offense with a fresh approach.
Beyond the Jets, several other quarterback-needy teams have been connected to Sanders in recent weeks. The Las Vegas Raiders, who have struggled to find consistency under center, could view Sanders as their quarterback of the future. The New Orleans Saints, potentially looking ahead to life after Derek Carr, might see Sanders as a developmental prospect worth investing in. Even the Arizona Cardinals have been mentioned in trade rumors, despite having Kyler Murray as their established starter, perhaps viewing Sanders as valuable depth or a future trade asset themselves. This wide interest across the league underscores Sanders’ perceived value despite his lack of NFL playing time.
What makes this situation particularly fascinating is the Browns’ approach to their rookie quarterbacks. Dillon Gabriel has been given the opportunity to start and has shown limited effectiveness, yet the team continues to keep Sanders sidelined. This strategy suggests the organization may have had trade considerations in mind from the moment they drafted Sanders, viewing him more as an asset than as their potential quarterback of the future. The deliberate sheltering of Sanders from what Cribbs describes as a “terrible offense” indicates a calculated approach to maintaining his trade value—a rookie quarterback with potential is often worth more before he plays and potentially struggles than after underwhelming performances.
As the trade deadline looms just hours away, the Sanders situation encapsulates the complex chess game NFL teams play with their assets. The Browns appear to be walking a tightrope between developing their own talent and maximizing return on investment through potential trades. For Sanders himself, this limbo must be challenging—a highly-touted prospect watching from the sidelines while trade rumors swirl. Whether he remains in Cleveland or finds himself wearing a new uniform after Tuesday’s deadline, the outcome will provide fascinating insight into how NFL teams value unproven quarterback talent in today’s league. For Browns fans, the resolution of this situation might finally answer whether their team drafted Sanders as their future signal-caller or merely as a valuable trade chip in their ongoing roster construction.
