By Evan MasseyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberOver the last two weeks, the Cleveland Browns have turned to rookie signal caller Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback. He has shown some flashes of potential, but the offense still hasn't looked great.
Throughout his first two starts and playing a half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sanders has completed just 50.8 percent of his pass attempts for 405 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has also picked up 21 yards on five attempts on the ground.
At 23 years old, it's still way too early to know whether or not Sanders could develop into a legitimate starting NFL quarterback.
Read more: Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Gets Harsh Words From Former QB
While the future is unknown for Sanders, it's quite possible that the Browns won't even give him a chance to earn the long-term starting job. Cleveland might just look to replace him this offseason.
...Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns will own both their own first-round picks and the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-round pick. Should they choose to get aggressive, they have enough ammunition to make an aggressive play to trade up for whoever they want at the quarterback position in the class.
With that in mind, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has suggested that Cleveland could take aggressive action to replace Sanders this offseason.
In his latest mock draft, he has the Browns trading both of their first-round picks and likely a day two pick in 2027 to the Tennessee Titans in order to move up for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
"Mendoza, whom NFL scouts compare to Goff or Kirk Cousins, won’t wow with his arm velocity or speed, but his football intelligence (both pre- and post-snap) separates him," Brugler wrote about Mendoza. "He has an outstanding feel for playing on time and layering throws to attack vulnerable spots in the defense, with just enough mobility to avoid sacks at an encouraging rate. The Browns will like Mendoza for a lot of the same reasons they liked Gabriel — except Mendoza has better physical attributes and a higher upside."
Mendoza has put together an impressive season at Indiana. He has thrown for 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, while completing 72 percent of his passes. He has also recorded 243 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Read more: Ben Johnson Sends Clear Warning to Bears Before Facing Packers
Moving on from Sanders so quickly might not make some fans happy, but Mendoza does appear to be the real deal.
Granted, this is just an idea at this point in time. Perhaps by the end of the season Sanders will be able to do enough to convince Cleveland to build around him. However, that is far from a guarantee and the Browns might enter the offseason still looking for a franchise quarterback.
For more on the Cleveland Browns and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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