Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was ranked last among 35 quarterbacks in The Athletic's 2026 NFL quarterback tier list. This definitive assessment came from surveys of 50 NFL executives and coaches. Their collective judgment now shapes the narrative around the young player.
One unnamed defensive coordinator offered a stark appraisal. “I’d sleep like a baby if I got to play him every week,” the coordinator stated, underscoring the perceived lack of threat. An executive echoed this sentiment, noting a significant performance gap. “He’s inaccurate at all three levels,” the executive said. “I can’t tell if he is going to get better, but there’s a huge gap between him and competent QB play.”
Another coordinator provided specific technical critiques. “He’s not an on-time player, can’t really read through the coverages, is a little bit heavy-footed,” the coordinator explained. While acknowledging Sanders is “thicker and harder to tackle than expected,” the coordinator concluded, “but you shouldn’t lose to him.” These pronouncements from the league's inner circle establish a clear institutional stance.
Sanders had shown flashes of potential during his rookie season in 2025, just one year ago. He now finds himself embroiled in another quarterback battle at Browns training camp. Deshaun Watson, recently healthy, is vying for the starting role in new head coach Todd Monken's offense. Dillon Gabriel also competes for the position.
Elite Judgment on Display
Sanders was named the starter for the final six games of the Browns' 2025 season. This opportunity came after he secured a victory in his starting debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. During that limited run, he threw for 1,400 yards. He recorded seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, completing 56.6% of his passes. These are the raw statistics now subject to the elite's scrutiny.
One voter, offering a rare counter-perspective within the survey, suggested a potential for change. “Todd Monken is a great reset in the same way Ben Johnson was a great reset in Chicago,” the voter observed. This individual believes Sanders could benefit from the new coaching. “Shedeur gets a fresh start with a no-nonsense, offensive-oriented coach who did a really good job with Lamar Jackson.”
However, this same voter attached conditions to Sanders' potential upside. “If Shedeur has really invested in himself to be a professional quarterback, studying the playbook and knowing his assignments and being able to get the offense in and out of the huddle at an efficient clip, which he could not do last year, then there might be some upside,” the voter added. The path to redemption remains dictated by the system's expectations.
Monken has confirmed an open competition for the starting role in his first Browns camp. This means Sanders, Watson, and Gabriel will battle for the position. Watson, ranked 31st among the 35 quarterbacks, did not play last season, one year ago. He was recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in the 2024 campaign, two years ago. The Browns are set to face the Bears in their first preseason game on August 15, 2026, in 10 days. The institutional verdict on Sanders casts a long shadow over the upcoming season.