Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders' Unexpected Move After First Season With Browns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 7:30 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns didn't have the 2025 NFL season they were hoping for, finishing with a 5-11 record, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. But Browns fans did have something to get excited about in 2025 as defensive end Myles Garrett broke the single-season sack record with 23.

Sanders was one of the most talked-about players during the season. Coming out of Colorado, the quarterback was widely expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but ended up falling all the way to the fifth round. Even the Browns selected another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, ahead of him.

After being a backup for the first 10 games of the season, Sanders finally got his chance as Cleveland's starter in Week 12. He was able to finish out the year and secure a 3-4 record as a starter, completing 120-of-212 attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and ten interceptions in eight games.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) exits the field after the game against the Pittsburgh SteelersKen Blaze-Imagn Images

Now entering his first full offseason with the Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL season, Sanders took a trip to London, where he visited Stamford Bridge for a match between English Premier League clubs Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC in the Carabao Cup, an annual domestic knockout tournament featuring teams from across England’s top professional leagues.

The match marked the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals, with Arsenal taking a 3-2 advantage ahead of the second leg, scheduled for Feb. 3 at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home ground. Chelsea, however, was shorthanded in the opener, missing several key players, including Cole Palmer and captain Reece James.

While Sanders has no known affiliation with Chelsea, the club still welcomed him onto the pitch, presenting the quarterback with a custom-made kit featuring “Sanders” on the back along with his No. 2.

"VIP GUEST! @shedeursanders @clevelandbrowns #ChelseaUS," Chelsea FC wrote on Instagram.

Shedeur Sanders made a visit to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea vs. Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/9rHb0n8cDk
— Sports N Stuff (@SportsNStuffx) January 19, 2026

The Browns will now turn to the offseason in hopes of improving their team. They will also select with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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