Shedeur Sanders' Trade Status Updated in New NFL Rumors Ahead of 1st Browns Start of 2026 Season

The Cleveland Browns have "no plans" to move quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler .

Sanders has sat behind Deshaun Watson on Cleveland's depth chart this season, although he's set to make his first start of the year against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday as Watson remains in concussion protocol.

Per Fowler, Sanders' upcoming start is "not a trade showcase."

The 24-year-old was initially selected by the Browns with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Sanders appeared in eight games as a rookie, including seven starts. He completed 56.6 percent of his throws for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 10 interceptions.

"Last year, I was able to see what I needed to see, feel different things during the games and understand what I need to get better at," Sanders said Wednesday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi . "So, then going into this offseason, we worked on that, and training camp, of course, in this offseason, and overall, I'm just excited for the opportunity."

The Browns have exceeded expectations to open their 2026 campaign, as they own a 5-3 record through eight weeks.

Watson has started in each of Cleveland's first eight games, throwing for 1,806 yards and seven touchdowns while getting picked off three times. He's also rushed for 217 yards and one score.

Sanders will face a struggling New Orleans defense in his first start, as the team owns the NFL's No. 29 scoring defense by allowing 27.7 points per game. The Saints have also allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a 97.5 passer rating against them, ranking No. 23 among all teams (via Pro Football Reference ).

Kickoff between Cleveland and New Orleans on Sunday is at 1 p.m. ET.