Shedeur Sanders feels pressure as Browns ‘seriously consider’ trade for former top 5 QB and Deshaun Watson drops hint

The competition for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback spot will soon heat up.

Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson all have hopes of locking down the role for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Getty

But the QB room could get even more crowded in the coming weeks as the struggling franchise, which finished bottom of the AFC North last season, is expected to ‘seriously consider’ a trade for another signal caller.

Browns to pursue tough training camp quarterback competition

It’s no secret that Todd Monken, Cleveland’s new head coach, is yet to be convinced by the trio of quarterbacks he currently has at his disposal.

He’s suggested that Sanders has the tools to win the starting spot, but admitted that he’s seen nothing to suggest there shouldn’t be an ‘open competition’ this summer.

“I don’t mean that harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet, whether internally or externally,” Monken recently said.

The solution, indeed, could come externally.

According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, the Browns are expected to aggressively pursue a trade for Anthony Richardson.

The 24-year-old was taken by the Indianapolis Colts as the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft, behind fellow signal-callers Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.

Richardson signed a four-year rookie contract with the team, just shy of $34 million, but struggled in his first two injury-hit seasons.

He then lost a preseason position battle with veteran Daniel Jones, and was relegated to the No. 2 spot in 2025.

The Colts are committed to trying to re-sign Jones and make him their starter for the foreseeable future, meaning Richardson faces uncertainty in Indianapolis, and has been granted permission to seek a trade.

Getty

Athletic writer Jackson believes he could land in Cleveland.

“The Browns are open to multiple options at quarterback, and that certainly includes the ‘open competition’ that new coach Todd Monken referenced during his combine media availability,” he wrote this week.

“But it’s clear that the team won’t just have Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson in that competition. Watson hasn’t played since October 2024 and is entering the last year of his huge contract, and the team still believes Sanders has a long way to go.

“Expect the Browns to at least explore a run at Malik Willis in free agency or to seriously consider a trade for Anthony Richardson that would pit Sanders vs. Richardson in a competition for the starting job while the team’s longer-term plans remain open.”

Any trade for Richardson, of course, would be a big blow for Sanders.

The Colts star is still just 23, and has plenty potential despite his rough injury history, which includes a fractured orbital bone sustained in a freak warm-up incident last October.

Getty

Getty

While Jackson believes it could be Sanders vs. Richardson for the starting spot, Watson has also dropped a fresh hint that he’s ready to compete.

Deshaun Watson shares fresh footage ahead of Browns return

The $230m quarterback shared multiple videos on his Instagram account on Monday, throwing the football and running numerous drills on the practice field.

He appeared in fantastic shape, and is undoubtedly putting in the work ahead of a massive offseason in which he hopes to win back the starting spot he lost to injury.

“I’ve been low-key worried after all the injuries and stuff but seeing him back grinding like that makes me actually think he can carry this team. If he stays healthy, other defenses ain’t ready,” one fan wrote, having watched the workout footage.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

“Deshaun is going to prove everyone wrong next season,” another wrote.

“He looks determined to succeed,” a third said.

The competition in Cleveland will be tough this summer, and Sanders could once again see his path to the starting position blocked, as it was for much of last year.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.