Browns Trade Pitch Flips Shedeur Sanders to NFC South Ahead of Deadline
The Cleveland Browns just made rookie Sheduer Sanders their No. 2 quarterback, but does that mean he’s untouchable through the remainder of 2025?
The answer to that question is probably yes, as team owner Jimmy Haslam has been adamant since before the regular season began that the franchise must get real looks at both Dillon Gabriel (third-rounder) and Sanders (fifth-rounder) before the 2026 NFL draft. The Browns (1-4) have two first-round picks in what should be, at the very least, a reasonable quarterback class and could be in position to select one of the top prospects.
Cleveland has already gotten a sense of Gabriel, who completed 19-of-33 passes for 190 yards and two scores against the advanced defensive scheme of the Minnesota Vikings on foreign soil. The Browns were competitive in the contest, and Gabriel appears likely to remain the starter for the foreseeable future.
Thus, it is hard to imagine Cleveland feeling as though it knows what it has in Sanders ahead of the NFL’s November 4 trade deadline. And under those circumstances, the Browns may not even entertain dealing the quarterback because there simply is no rush to do so.
However, if Gabriel sustains an injury this week or next, and Sanders gets in the game, it’s possible a team desperate enough for answers might come calling to inquire about the 23-year-old’s availability.
Shedeur Sanders Unlikely to Build Relevant Trade Value Ahead of Deadline
Evan Massey of Newsweek authored a trade proposal on Friday, October 10, that would see Cleveland flip Sanders to the New Orleans Saints of the NFC South Division.
“While [the Browns trading Sanders] would be a major surprise, the possibility cannot be written off,” Massey wrote. “The Saints have started Spencer Rattler under center. They also have rookie quarterback Tyler Shough on the roster. A chance to acquire another young quarterback could be appealing to them.”
The obvious hole to punch in the proposal is that the Saints drafted Shough with the No. 40 overall pick in the second round, skipping over Sanders six times before the Browns moved up to select him in the early portion of Round 5.
Saints Have No Reason to Explore Trade With Browns for QB Shedeur Sanders — Yet
New Orleans isn’t likely to have changed its mind on Sanders, given the fact that the Browns have yet to play him a single regular-season snap and there is no tape of any import on which to re-evaluate him.
The Saints probably wouldn’t be willing to ship a pick any higher than the one the Browns spent on Sanders in the first place, unless the QB gets into a few games as plays well. But if that happens, why would Cleveland be in a rush to ship him out the door?
Rattler has played well enough to keep Shough off the field for all but two snaps in one game through the first five weeks of the season, despite a 1-4 start. Given where the Saints’ year is going and where Shough is at in his professional progression, there is no reason for New Orleans to rush into a trade for another rookie quarterback — particularly one the team passed over a handful of times in April.
All of that said, if Sanders gets on the field and shows flashes, and/or Shough gets some run and doesn’t comport himself particularly well, this hypothetical trade discussion could be worth revisiting next spring.
Vikings CB Byron Murphy Hit With Fine for Unnecessary Roughness in Browns Win
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. has been fined by the NFL for a horse-collar tackle in the team’s Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns in London.
The NFL announced Murphy was fined $17,389 for unnecessary roughness/horse-collar tackle during the third quarter with 11:05 remaining. A flag was not thrown during the play.
A horse-collar tackle is a specific type of penalty in football that occurs when a player is tackled by grabbing the inside of the opponent’s shoulder pad or the side/back of the helmet and pulling the player down from the back.
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 08: Byron Murphy Jr. #7 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Murphy Was Also Fined Last Season
Murphy has been with the Vikings since 2023. He was named to the Pro Bowl roster last season. He was drafted in the second-round out of Washington in 2019 by the Arizona Cardinals.
Murphy was fined last season for taunting. Following a key incompletion in the third quarter, Murphy briefly stood over Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and looked down at him. No flag was thrown on the play.
Vikings Fans Not Happy With Murphy’s Performance
Murphy signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Vikings in March, signaling they are committing to him as a starting cornerback. But that didn’t stop some from taking to social media to announce their displeasure with his performance on Sunday. Murphy is currently ranked the 122nd best cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
“Byron Murphy got paid then curled up and forgot how to play my lord he has been rough!” one person wrote on X.
“I’m not impressed with the Vikings willingness to wrap up running backs. On that tight end hurdle play, Ivan Pace made no attempt to wrap up, nor did Byron Murphy on the fourth down play,” another user wrote.
But Murphy did have out a standout moment when broke up a touchdown pass from Browns’ Dillon Gabriel to David Bell.
Brian Flores Led Defense Has Played Well
Murphy has been part of an impressive defensive led by coordinator Brian Flores. Under his leadership, Minnesota’s defense has ranked among the league’s best this year, allowing just 1,449 yards through five games—the sixth-fewest in the NFL. Known for his highly aggressive play-calling, Flores has turned the Vikings into one of the league’s top blitzing defenses.
It’s the bye week for the Vikings (3-2) before they host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 19.
The team has experienced its share of ups and downs, but several players have stepped up and made a noticeable impact. More contributions will be needed as the season resumes after the Bye Week, but for now, we’re taking a look at those who have performed well to start the year.
Linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Eric Wilson currently lead the defense in tackles with 37 and 35, respectively. Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriquez and Jonathan Greenard each have four tackles for loss. Redmond leads the team with three sacks. And Isaiah Rodgers and Joshua Metellus each have an interception.
