Shedeur Sanders says he isn't thinking about 2026. He isn't even thinking about the next month. He's thinking about Chicago.
Videos by FanBuzz
Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images
Even with the Browns officially eliminated from the AFC playoff race, head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear this week that Sanders will start the final four games. It's a runway for the rookie to make his case for next season, but Sanders wasn't about to zoom out when he met with reporters.
"Yeah, that's a long, deep thought," Sanders said, via Pro Football Talk. "Like, that's not in my focus. My focus right now is the team we're playing ahead, the Bears — anything past that I'm not really focused on, honestly. I'm thankful for it, but I'm not content with my situation, with everything. And we're leading this team."
Sanders took over in the second half of the Week 11 loss to the Ravens and has since gone 50-of-87 for 722 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. With four games left and no playoff pressure, the Browns will use every snap to evaluate whether Sanders can push his way into the 2026 conversation.
For Sanders, the audition is real. He just isn't calling it that.
Cleveland (3-10) is 1-2 in the games Sanders started, with his best performances coming in the loss to the dreadful Titans and a win over the equally dreadful Raiders. He struggled a bit in a loss to the 49ers. The Bears are sure to offer another massive NFL test.
