The Shedeur Sanders rumor mill is hitting a fever pitch.
Amid growing criticism, which included questions revolving around his perceived arrogant answers to questions at the NFL Combine and lack of “elite talent,” Sanders could still possibly be the No. 2 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Former NFL scout turned on-air host Todd McShay of The Ringer said on his podcast, “The McShay Show,” that he believes Sanders is “truly in play” for the Browns with the second pick.
He adds that the Browns’ front office likely needs to draft Sanders and hope head coach Kevin Stefanski can make more magic with a pocket passer like Sanders in an attempt to save their jobs.
“They’re more handcuffed by any other organization by one contract. Deshaun Watson,” McShay said. “You need to win at some point real soon to save your job … So, how do you solve the crisis? They have a crisis at the quarterback position … Deshaun Watson is the worst contract given to an individual maybe in the history of sports. So how do we manage? What’s our best path.
“They just need solid quarterback play. They don’t need elite quarterback play … No. 1, [Browns GM Andrew Berry] can’t expect to be picking this high again … and if they are, Berry and Stefanski are very likely out of jobs. No. 2, because of the Watson deal you don’t have the cap space to make any big-ticket signings. So, Cleveland’s best chance of winning short and long term is to strike gold with this No. 2 pick.
“If I’m Andrew Berry, my greatest asset in this whole mess is my head coach. Stefanski is my greatest asset. Stefanski has a proven track record of getting the most out of pocket passing quarterbacks with limited mobility.”
The theory makes sense, as the wild quarterback carrousel this offseason has shown that many teams are looking for any steady play under center.
Aaron Rodgers is the last domino fall in that market, as the Giants, Steelers and perhaps Vikings stay in contact with the ex-Jet.
There’s a world where Rodgers departs for Pittsburgh or Minnesota and then Cam Ward and Sanders are drafted at No. 1 and No. 2.
That’s what the Giants brass is staring down the barrel between now and April.
McShay concluded by saying, “a week ago I glossed over Cleveland taking Shedeur at No. 2. Right now, I truly believe that Shedeur Sanders is in play with that No. 2 pick for the Cleveland Browns.”
Stefanski has shown he can win with a variety of quarterbacks, taking home Coach of the Year honors in 2023 because of the high-level play he massaged out of 38-year-old Joe Flacco en route to the playoffs.
He was also the Vikings quarterback coach when career backup Case Keenum had a career year while leading a playoff run.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared a similar sentiment on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Monday.
“They’ve been tough to figure out a little bit,” Fowler said, per SI.com. “I do know that they like Shedeur. To what extent, if they’re willing to pick him No. 2 overall I cannot say. I do know there’s some love there for Shedeur Sanders and sort of his computer brain to be able to feel out the game mentally. They have some respect for what Shedeur can do in that area, maybe more than some teams.”
What the Browns do in the draft could affect the Giants should general manager Joe Schoen strike out on Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
Flacco and Jameis Winston both recently visited the team as fallback options.
The Giants are expected to attempt to trade up to the No. 1 pick and draft Ward, but it’s possible the Titans may prefer just to stay put.
