If you’ve been keeping tabs on the chaos of the NFL over the last few months, you already know the name. But if you’re just tuning in, you’re probably asking: what team does Shedeur Sanders play for right now?
He plays for the Cleveland Browns.
Yeah, honestly, it’s been a wild ride. It feels like just yesterday he was lighting up the Big 12 at Colorado, but the "Grown Man" is officially in the pros. He’s wearing the orange and brown in Cleveland, and depending on who you ask in Ohio, he’s either the savior of the franchise or a rookie just trying to keep his head above water.
The 2025 Draft: How He Ended Up in Cleveland
It’s kinda crazy to look back at how he got here. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone was debating whether he was a top-five pick or a total bust waiting to happen. The talk was endless. Then, draft weekend hit, and things got weird.
Shedeur didn't go in the first round. He didn't even go in the second.
The Cleveland Browns eventually pulled the trigger in the fifth round, taking him with the 144th overall pick. General Manager Andrew Berry basically called him a "lottery ticket." They traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to get him, sending away picks 166 and 192 just to make sure they secured him.
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It was a low-risk, high-reward move for a team that has been through absolute quarterback hell.
His Rookie Season with the Browns
So, what has he actually done since getting there? He didn't start the season as the guy. Not even close. He was buried on the depth chart behind veteran Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
But Cleveland is Cleveland. Injuries happened, the offense stalled, and eventually, they had no choice but to see what the kid could do.
He ended up starting the final seven games of the 2025 season.
He went 3-4 in those starts. Not world-breaking, but he showed some serious grit. His stats for the year look like this:
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- Passing Yards: 1,400
- Touchdowns: 7
- Interceptions: 10
- Rushing Yards: 143 (plus one score on the ground)
The 10 interceptions are a bit of an eyesore, sure. But you've gotta remember the context. The Browns' offensive line was ranked 30th in the league by PFF last year. He was running for his life half the time. He showed that same "toughness" his dad, Deion Sanders, always raved about—taking hits, getting back up, and somehow leading a game-winning drive against the Bengals in Week 18 to close the season.
What Team Does Shedeur Sanders Play For in 2026?
As of January 2026, he is still firmly a member of the Cleveland Browns.
But things are changing fast. The Browns just fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, and the rumors are flying about who’s coming in next. Names like Jim Schwartz and Todd Monken are at the top of the list. Whoever takes the job is going to inherit a weird quarterback room.
There’s also the Deshaun Watson situation. He’s still on the roster with that massive contract, but he’s basically been a non-factor due to injuries.
The big news this week? Oregon QB Dante Moore decided to stay in school for another year. That’s massive for Shedeur. It means there’s one less elite quarterback in the 2026 draft class for the Browns to pick at No. 7 overall. It basically forces Cleveland to give Shedeur a real, honest look at being the starter for the 2026 season.
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Why People Get This Wrong
A lot of people still think he’s at Colorado. Or they think he went to the Raiders because of all that pre-draft hype with Mark Davis.
The reality is much more "Cleveland." He’s in a blue-collar city, fighting for a job that has been a revolving door for decades. He’s not the flashy #1 overall pick everyone expected him to be back in 2024. He’s a fifth-round underdog who’s currently the frontrunner to start Week 1 in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Shedeur's career, here is what you need to watch over the next few months:
- The Head Coach Search: If Cleveland hires a "QB Whisperer," it’s great news for Shedeur. If they hire a defensive guy who wants to run the ball 40 times a game, he might struggle.
- Free Agency (March 2026): Watch if the Browns bring in a high-priced veteran. If they sign a mid-tier guy like Marcus Mariota, it means it’s Shedeur’s job to lose.
- The 2026 NFL Draft: Keep an eye on pick No. 7. If they take a defensive tackle or a tackle, the Shedeur era is officially on.
Basically, if you were wondering what team does Shedeur Sanders play for, the answer is the Cleveland Browns—and for the first time in a long time, he might actually be the long-term answer there.