CLEVELAND, Ohio: Shedeur Sanders could start as early as the Cleveland Browns’ Week 3 home opener against the Carolina Panthers, according to Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot.
Cabot wrote on September 19 that Sanders has an “excellent chance” to start on September 27 if Cleveland decides to move on from Deshaun Watson after Sunday’s road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Browns have not announced such a change.
Watson remains Cleveland’s official starter for Week 2. Head coach Todd Monken said after the Browns’ 34-10 opening loss to Jacksonville that he expected Watson to face Tampa Bay, while the team’s Week 2 depth chart lists Sanders as QB2.
Cabot reported that Monken initially preferred Watson for Cleveland’s first two road games because the offence was adjusting to a new system and would face additional communication challenges away from home. She described the Panthers game as a potential point for Cleveland to pivot to Sanders.
The Browns host Carolina at Huntington Bank Field on September 27 before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at home on Thursday, October 1. Cleveland’s official schedule confirms both fixtures.
Sanders, Cleveland’s fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, started seven games as a rookie. He posted a 3-4 record with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, according to Pro-Football-Reference.
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Cabot said Sanders spent much of the offseason in Cleveland learning Monken’s offence and remained in the quarterback competition with Watson until August 24. Watson ultimately won the starting assignment entering the 2026 season.
