Why Browns trading Myles Garrett to Rams is more bad news for Shedeur Sanders

It has been made clear throughout the spring that veteran Deshaun Watson holds a significant lead over polarizing 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders in the competition for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job. 

Sanders received more bad news on Monday regarding his long-term future with the organization. 

Browns planning for a future beyond Shedeur Sanders?

NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, among others, reported on Monday that the Browns are finalizing a trade to send star pass-rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge-rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and additional compensation. Rapoport added that the Browns are now on track to "have two first-rounders in the celebrated 2027 NFL Draft" that is expected to have multiple top-tier quarterback prospects in its class. 

Of course, it's far too early to know who will be viewed as the QB1 of next year's draft class come April 2027. That said, many analysts believe that either Arch Manning of Texas or Dante Moore of Oregon will ultimately become the top pick of the 2027 player-selection process. 

Will Browns give Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove his long-term worth?

The Browns starting Watson over Sanders would be a win-now move for a team that, on paper, will have a worse roster once the Garrett trade can become official as soon as Tuesday. Thus, one would think that Browns general manager Andrew Berry and first-year head coach Todd Monken would want to use upcoming games to evaluate Sanders before the organization goes all-in on scouting quarterback prospects who will be available in the next draft. 

Then again, Monday's developments may show that Berry and Monken have already made a final decision about what Sanders will and won't be as a pro. If that's the case, perhaps Sanders will consider requesting a trade unless he leapfrogs Watson on the depth chart at some point this summer. 

Sanders allegedly did not want the Baltimore Ravens to draft him in the spring of 2025 because he did not want to be stuck serving as a backup for two-time regular-season Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. In short, Garrett may not be the only big-name player traded by the Browns before the 2026 campaign gets underway.