Former Browns QB Bernie Kosar 'wouldn't be surprised' with one Shedeur Sanders outcome

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is the latest to offer his thoughts on the team's contentious quarterback battle. 

Speaking to "Yahoo Sports Daily," Kosar's comments added an interesting wrinkle to what is easily one of the most talked-about QB rooms entering 2026. While many fans continue to debate Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders, Kosar has now added to the conversation with a few words of his own.

Who does Bernie Kosar think will be QB1 in Cleveland?

During the interview, Kosar made it clear he believes Sanders deserves to remain firmly in the quarterback competition.

“He deserves to be in this mix, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Shedeur get this opportunity early if he doesn't come out as the game one starter.”

Kosar's quote also illustrates exactly how much of a work in progress Cleveland's quarterback room appears to be entering 2026. With Watson widely seen as the top contender, the idea that Kosar is speculating about Sanders getting a chance early in the year, it demonstrates how wide-open things appear in Cleveland. Sanders simply remaining in the mix continues making this one of the NFL’s most closely watched quarterback competitions entering training camp.

Cleveland's offense was subpar last season

Kosar then went on to talk about Cleveland's offense last year and said in general, the quarterback situation was not ideal. Specifically regarding Sanders, Kosar stated that the lack of weapons around him contributed significantly to some of the troubles that Cleveland faced last year.

“We were very void of talent with the Browns on offense last year. So for Shedeur to come in as a rook and in a with a really limited talented roster around him offensively, he certainly made plays.”

Kosar’s comments become even more interesting when looking at just how bad Cleveland’s offense actually was during the 2025 season. The Browns finished 31st in points per game, 30th in total yards per game, 31st in passing yards and dead last in completion percentage and in yards per play while stumbling to a 5-12 record. That does not completely excuse the struggles at quarterback, but it certainly adds important context surrounding the environment Sanders stepped into. 

Cleveland also appeared to recognize those offensive issues this offseason, selecting Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion in the first round and Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft in an effort to improve the talent surrounding the quarterback position.

Cleveland’s QB situation remains one of the NFL’s biggest storylines

Kosar's words sound like an endorsement for Sanders, or at least a defense that last year's quarterback woes in Cleveland were never only about the guy taking the snap. Although Kosar did stand up for Sanders' challenging situation, Cleveland seems to have taken meaningful steps toward improving that environment entering 2026. 

Now with guys like Concepcion and Boston added to the offense, the winner of the Browns' QB competition should walk into a supporting cast that looks substantially better than what Cleveland deployed much of last year.