CLEVELAND, Ohio – Is Shedeur Sanders the answer to the Browns’ perpetual quarterback quest, or just another late-round mirage? That question arose on the latest Terry’s Talkin’ podcast, where cleveland.com columnist Terry Pluto and host David Campbell wrestled with Browns fans’ hope and harsh NFL realities.
The podcast began with an email from listener Tim Isabella that perfectly captured the Shedeur Sanders dilemma:
“In your opinion, should the Browns allow him time to develop as an NFL quarterback? Could Shedeur be the exception of successful top quarterbacks outside the first round?”
Pluto has previously shared a sobering statistic: 18 of the top 20 NFL quarterbacks during this 2025 season were first-round picks. That’s not just coincidence — it’s a pattern that has held true throughout the modern era.
Yet fans remain captivated by Sanders’ confidence, athleticism, and pedigree.
This comparison to Tim Tebow, who came out of Florida with Heisman Trophy hype and a large fan base, is interesting. Like Sanders, Tebow entered the league with tremendous leadership qualities and running ability, and an almost mythical reputation. The Denver Broncos surprisingly selected Tebow 25th overall in the 2010 draft.
But Tebow’s career was over in three years because he couldn’t pass the football at the standard required of a franchise QB.
“They bet on his intangibles, his leadership,” Pluto said of the Broncos. “But there has to be tangibles to go with talent.”
Campbell shared a nugget from last week’s Broncos vs. Commanders Sunday Night Football broadcast. During the game, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth mentioned what current Broncos coach Sean Payton told him this about drafting QBs: You can coach quarterbacks to change a lot about how they play, but a player who took sacks in college — that’s something a coach can’t fix.
Sanders absorbed more sacks during his career at Colorado than any other QB in the nation: 52 times in 2023, and 42 times in 2024.
Even so, Pluto sees enough promise to advocate for Sanders getting an extended audition.
“I just really … I’m intrigued. Just just play the kid. Let’s see. I mean, you’re 3-9 again,” Pluto said of the Browns’ record heading into Sunday’s home game against the Titans.
Pluto highlighted several positives in Sanders’ development, including his ability to operate under center and command the huddle.
“He has stayed away from big negative plays, which was a big knock on him there,” Pluto said.
Pluto also touched on how rushing rookie quarterbacks often sets them up for failure.
“Patrick Mahomes started one game as a rookie. Jalen Hurts started three,” Pluto said.
For a 3-9 team already matching last season’s disappointment, giving Sanders the remaining games makes strategic sense. The Browns aren’t competing for playoffs, and gathering data on a potential quarterback of the future offers more value than playing veterans with limited upside.
The Sanders experiment represents a fascinating inflection point for the Browns.
Can a fifth-round pick with obvious limitations but intriguing upside defy the overwhelming odds against late-round quarterback success?
Or is this another chapter in Cleveland’s endless search for a franchise quarterback?
As Pluto succinctly put it: “Let him play.”
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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