BREAKING NEWS: Cleveland Browns Officially Announce Plans to Part Ways with Potential Franchise QB Shedeur Sanders
CLEVELAND, OH – It’s official. The Cleveland Browns have confirmed what had been rumored for days: the organization is preparing to move on from rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
In a press release issued Thursday morning, the Browns front office stated:
“After thorough evaluation and consideration of our roster needs, we have decided to explore options to move forward without quarterback Shedeur Sanders. We appreciate Shedeur’s hard work and professionalism during his time in Cleveland and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
The announcement sent shockwaves through the NFL community, given Sanders’ reputation as a future QB1 candidate. Drafted as a mid-round steal, Sanders was seen as a high-upside developmental quarterback — someone many analysts believed could grow into the face of the franchise.
FAN BACKLASH
Browns fans wasted no time voicing their outrage. Social media lit up within minutes of the announcement, with hashtags #ShedeurSanders and #Browns trending nationwide.
“This is heartbreaking,” one fan wrote on X. “We’ve waited years for a guy like this, and now we’re letting him walk before he even has a real shot?”
Local radio shows were flooded with callers demanding answers, with some arguing that this decision shows a lack of vision for the team’s future.
A LONG QB HISTORY
The Browns’ quarterback struggles are well-documented, with the franchise having cycled through more than 30 starters since 1999. Sanders was supposed to represent a fresh start — a chance to build something sustainable.
NFL insiders have speculated that the decision may have been influenced by contract considerations, depth chart competition, or fit within offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s system. However, no specific reason was given in the team’s official statement.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SANDERS
League sources expect Sanders to be a hot commodity on the open market, with several teams likely to reach out immediately. Possible destinations being discussed include the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints — all of which could offer Sanders a faster track to a starting job.
For now, Cleveland’s focus will turn to their current quarterback room, where veteran Deshaun Watson is expected to remain the starter heading into the season.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
For the Dawg Pound, this decision feels like another missed opportunity to develop a homegrown franchise quarterback. Whether or not Sanders goes on to succeed elsewhere, the Browns will face scrutiny all season for letting him go.
“This could be the decision we look back on in five years and say, ‘That was the turning point,’” said NFL analyst Mina Kimes. “If Sanders becomes a star somewhere else, this will haunt Cleveland.”
