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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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During Wednesday’s episode of ESPN’s "First Draft" podcast, Mel Kiper Jr. delivered his strongest endorsement yet of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland finished 5–12, last in the AFC North, and fired head coach Kevin Stefanski following the season, leaving the organization facing a pivotal offseason defined by a coaching change, quarterback uncertainty, and long-term roster decisions.
Yet, Kiper claims that Sanders has already done enough to be the franchise’s starting quarterback entering 2026.
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"I don't know what else the kid needs to do. I mean, Josh Allen had haters in year three. So if Josh Allen has haters in year two and three of his career, there's no way Shedeur can avoid it. But I've watched every play, every snap of Shedeur Sanders, and he should be proud of what he had to go through and survive," Kiper said.
"Really, when you look at what Shedeur did this year, not having any training camp, never with the ones, defense, offense, to be thrown out there, playing in brutal weather conditions, not in domes... If you're going to sit there and tell me you weren't impressed with the rookie year of Shedeur Sanders, I would say you weren't watching the same game I was."
"Everything about Shedeur Sanders screams he's the quarterback," Kiper added.
The Browns entered 2025 hoping for stability at quarterback, but instead cycled through multiple options.
Deshaun Watson’s ongoing injury issues limited his availability, while Joe Flacco was moved early in the year.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick, opened the season higher on the depth chart than Sanders and received the bulk of early starts.
Ultimately, Cleveland’s inconsistent quarterback play contributed to another losing season, prompting ownership to reset the coaching staff and reevaluate the roster, especially at the game’s most important position.
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Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a surprising slide, Sanders entered the league without the typical runway afforded to highly drafted quarterbacks.
He received limited first-team reps in training camp, rarely worked with the starters early in the season, and spent much of the year as a backup.
When Sanders did get his opportunity, the results were mixed but competitive, finishing the season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, though also rushing for 169 yards and posting a 3–4 record as a starter.
Kiper specifically referenced Sanders’ performance in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, a narrow Browns victory in which the rookie led a late drive to put Cleveland into field-goal range for the game-winning kick.
That moment, according to Kiper, encapsulated Sanders’ poise and growth.
General manager Andrew Berry has publicly avoided committing to a QB1 for 2026, emphasizing competition and flexibility as Cleveland searches for a new head coach, with Gabriel under contract, Watson’s status unresolved, and the Browns expected to explore veteran or draft additions.
Still, as the Browns enter a defining offseason, Sanders has at least forced the conversation.
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