How Shedeur Sanders' NFL future relies upon final weeks of Browns' season

Matt Sullivan

•
How Shedeur Sanders' NFL future relies upon final weeks of Browns' season image

The Cleveland Browns have seen their fair share of Dillon Gabriel this season, and now are getting an extended look at former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

He's made two starts, and his third will come against the Tennessee Titans. While the runway that Sanders has for the rest of the season is unknown, if he plays well, he will likely remain the team's starter.

For ESPN insider Bill Barnwell, the rest of the Browns' season for Sanders will be a massive one. Barnwell believes that Sanders' future in the NFL could drastically alter depending on his play for the rest of the season.

ESPN insider reveals why Shedeur Sanders' rest-of-season play has huge impact on NFL future

"Is Sanders going to do enough with those snaps to convince the Browns that he should be their long-term quarterback? Probably not, given where he was drafted and how he has played so far, Barnwell writes. "Adequately running an NFL offense over the rest of 2025, though, might be the difference between Sanders quickly washing out of the league or getting an extended run as a backup and occasional spot starter."

Cleveland has given Sanders more run than most fifth-round rookie quarterbacks in the NFL typically get. While he's not been dominant for the Browns, his play has been encouraging enough that there could be something there with Sanders.

But it's still far too early to tell. That's why the rest of his 2025 campaign could have a massive impact on how his NFL future plays out.

More: Browns' Shedeur Sanders had perfect response to ridiculous question

Barnwell believes that a strong finish to 2025 could be the difference between Sanders sticking in the NFL for a while, regardless of whether it's as a backup or a starter, versus flaming out and no longer being in the NFL.

He has the arm talent to stick in the NFL, and if he could cut down on the bad sacks he takes and get more consistent as a passer, then his future in the NFL as a backup at worst would look solidified.

This disparity is a big one for Sanders, as Barnwell believes Sanders could be out of the league very quickly if he struggles in the final five weeks this season.

But, even if Sanders does play well, Barnwell believes Sanders would be a spot-starter and career backup. While being a longtime backup isn't the worst situation, it's far from ideal for someone with as much pre-draft hype as Sanders.

The final five weeks of the 2025 NFL season will shape a lot of futures, and none might be more impacted than Sanders.

More Browns News:

Staff Writer