An NFL quarterback is always minutes away from getting into the game, so they have to be sharp when that happens. The Cleveland Browns found it too early against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, with Shedeur Sanders replacing Deshaun Watson for the second time this season.
Just three snaps into the game, Watson was hit hard on an incomplete pass and left to be evaluated for a concussion. Sanders came in and threw an incomplete pass, which was negated by an offensive penalty.
After Sanders completed a pass for no gain, was confirmed by a dismissed offensive penalty and was run for 1 yard by Quinshon Judkins, the QB threw another short pass. But Harold Fannin Jr. failed and Sanders’ day was over as Watson was allowed to return for the next series.
After watching those four lackluster games, insider Tony Grossi questions Sanders’ readiness as a backup and says he doesn’t look ready to go when called up.
“He didn’t look ready. When you talk about who has the better skills to be a backup, you have to be ready to go in there and not throw the ball out of bounds,” Grossi said.
“He didn’t look ready… when you’re talking about who has the better skills to be the backup QB, you’ve got to be ready to go in there and not throw the ball out of bounds” – @TonyGrossi on Shedeur Sanders coming into the game. pic.twitter.com/vSTPyG6fTY
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 2, 2026
It might be unfair to judge Sanders on two completion box scores on two attempts for 2 yards in what turned out to be an ugly 27-6 loss. But Sanders could have given Cleveland a spark, and he failed to do so.
The Browns are in the unusual position of carrying four guards on the 53-man roster, with Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green joining Watson and Sanders. It’s thought they could move on from either Sanders or Gabriel before next week’s NFL trade deadline.
Gabriel, who has played just two snaps since last November, has been Cleveland’s go-to quarterback for the first time since opening the season on injured reserve. He’s thought to be better suited for the backup job, and Sanders did nothing to help his case with his ragged performance on Sunday.
So even if Sanders isn’t traded, he could eventually move up the depth chart, which would likely confirm his departure this coming offseason.
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Browns Cut Ties At Running Back After Loss To Steelers