Deshaun Watson is still on the roster but figures to miss extended time following another Achilles injury, leaving Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, 2025 third-rounder Dillon Gabriel and Sanders on track for a heated competition this spring and summer.

Browns GM Andrew Berry told Shedeur Sanders that the quarterback has to "get ready to go to work and prove all the people who passed on you wrong" when Cleveland selected him in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spoke with Sanders next, suggesting the quarterback's fall from widely projected first-rounder to Day 3 afterthought could end up helping the rookie in the long run.