Browns Linked to Trading Shedeur Sanders to Struggling AFC Team
The Cleveland Browns have Shedeur Sanders as their backup quarterback, but that could soon change.
Cleveland is using Dillon Gabriel as its starting quarterback and could be in the market to draft a quarterback early in next year’s draft. With that, NFL analyst Christopher Kline of FanSided links the Browns to trading Sanders to the New York Jets.
The New York Jets fell to 0-6 with an ugly loss in London. Justin Fields threw for 45 yards and took nine sacks for -55 yards, which means the Jets’ passing attack generated -10 yards in total,” Kline wrote. “There are other issues beyond Fields — in fact, Fields is very much a product of those other issues — but the Jets need to switch things up at quarterback. That much is clear…
“If the Jets can bring in a young quarterback for trial by fire, that is the ideal solution. Why not see what Sanders can do with a long runway? It’s not like the Jets are without quality playmakers. Garrett Wilson is one of the best wideouts in the NFL. Breece Hall is a genuine magician working out of the backfield. New York just needs a quarterback who’s willing to take a few risks and air it out. Sanders will undoubtedly experience his share of struggles in that Jets offense, but he would have a hard time
Kline believes the Jets need to try something new, and Sanders would get the chance to start. The Browns, meanwhile, would likely get a draft pick back and move on from the Sanders experiment.
Sanders Unlikely to Start Anytime Soon For Browns
Part of the reason why Sanders could be traded is due to the fact that he doesn’t have a path to playing time.
The Browns are set on Gabriel as the starting quarterback, so Sanders may not get playing time this season. Insider Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported that Sanders isn’t ready and is unlikely to play anytime soon.
“I don’t get the impression that he’s “ready,” but I don’t know that it matters much,” Lloyd wrote. “If they crowbarred Johnny Manziel onto the field on a team that was actually in the division race, why wouldn’t they throw Sanders out there at some point, given the current mess?
“Look, we all know Sanders is a lightning rod. I don’t know what you think of him, but he comes off as quite likable in the few brief interactions I’ve had with him. It’s all the noise that comes with him that makes all of this difficult. I’ve written and said all I want to about Sanders until he takes the field. Ultimately, I believe the Browns will be right back in the quarterback lottery next year.”
Sanders did show flashes of promise in the preseason, which is why he could have some trade value ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline.
Sanders Focused on Being the Best Backup
Although Sanders was vocal about wanting to start, he is focused on helping Gabriel.
Sanders said after the trade of Joe Flacco that his goal was to make sure Gabriel is ready for every start.
“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon is ready for the game,” Sanders said. “So each and every day, even when Joe (Flacco) was the starter, everything. Prepare the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there any point in time. So, I’m overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I’m ready to play. But it’s up to the coache. And whatever decision they make, then I’m fine with.”
Gabriel is set for his third-straight start against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at home.
Jahmyr Gibbs holds the key to unlocking Lions' offense against Buccaneers
The Detroit Lions have one of the best and most explosive offenses in the NFL this season, and that's been due in large part to their strong running game.
Detroit's combo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are routinely able to put together 100 yard games and multiple touchdown efforts. That ability helps the Lions be dangerous in the play action game, helping Jared Goff to be lethal down the field with his receiver targets.
So far, Detroit's run game ranks No. 8 overall in the league, and have gone for 128.7 yards per-game on the ground with 772 total yards. Their offensive line has played well enough to dominate games. In spite of that success, they weren't as effective in the second-half against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Lions only rushed for 98 yards and no touchdowns on the night, which was likely a big reason they went on to lose 30-17. Without the ground game to chew up clock and help the defense overcommit, the Chiefs were able to make Detroit one-dimensional and limit their ability to hit bigger pass plays with success.
In order to get back to their winning roots against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions are going to have to lean heavier on the run game. Tampa Bay's offense can be just as lethal as Kansas City's, and giving Baker Mayfield less chances to impact the outcome should be a major goal for John Morton.
With the weaponry the Lions have at their disposal, there's no excuse for Detroit not to have the right game plan going into a primetime game. Establishing the run game early and maintaining it throughout offers them the best chance at success. Fortunately, they have an elite player to help.
Past results vs. Buccaneers make Gibbs a player Lions must emphasize
The Lions have had success running the ball against Tampa Bay before. In the last two games against the Buccaneers, Detroit has rushed for a total of 252 yards and two touchdowns. Much of that success has been due to Gibbs and his ability to make huge plays on the ground.
Gibbs himself has accounted for 158 of those yards, and in the playoff game against Tampa Bay, his fourth-quarter touchdown changed the game for the Lions as they were able to make the NFC Championship Game. In last year's loss, Gibbs rushed for 84 yards
A big reason the Lions were not able to win last season's regular season game was due to red zone struggles. In spite of Dan Campbell's recent take on the running game, Gibbs is the perfect player to exploit those weaknesses. That means Morton should do whatever he can to get him the ball when the field compresses and the defense is on the run.
Detroit's ground game is once again elite in 2025, and Gibbs' explosiveness is a big reason why that is the case. He's found a way to have fantastic performances against Tampa Bay before, and emphasizing him again could be the biggest key to unlocking the offense.
