Browns Face Trade Speculation on Shedeur Sanders as Reporters Say Competition Remains Open

Reports emerged on June 30, 2026, of talks and calls about the availability of second-year Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The same day brought suggestions that accounts of Sanders closing the gap in the starting competition were released to generate trade interest.

Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer rejected that view in an interview with Michael Grant of Awful Announcing.

"I think when first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken says he has two starting quarterbacks, he means it," Cabot said. "I don’t think this is lip service. " Cabot and other Browns reporters have maintained since the team ended its mandatory minicamp on June 11, 2026, that Sanders remains in competition with Deshaun Watson.

Training-camp practices are scheduled to begin in late July. A Monday report stated that Watson remains the favorite to start in Week 1. Cabot noted that Watson appeared to hold an edge after voluntary minicamp in April 2026.

She added that Sanders narrowed the difference during OTAs and minicamp, leaving the race a dead heat heading into training camp. The Browns agreed in early June 2026 to trade pass-rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge-rusher Jared Verse and draft compensation.

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Browns at +1050 odds to finish the season with the fewest wins in the NFL.

Cabot said either quarterback reaching a top-16 or top-17 level could allow the team to reach eight wins or more. The Browns open the preseason at the Chicago Bears in August 2026.