Shedeur Sanders gets harsh reality check after Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams

The perception exists that the Cleveland Browns accepted edge-rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and additional draft-pick compensation from the Los Angeles Rams for defensive superstar Myles Garrett because Browns general manager Andrew Berry wants to have the assets needed to land his desired quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Berry insisted the Browns aren't "tanking" the 2026 season to find a long-term replacement for signal-callers Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Browns insider Jason Lloyd of The Athletic is among the noteworthy members of the football community who aren't buying what Berry tried to sell. 

Myles Garrett, Browns have already given up on Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson? 

"If the Browns — or Garrett, if we’re being honest — truly believed either Watson or Shedeur Sanders was the long-term solution, there would have been no reason to make this deal," Lloyd wrote for an article published on Tuesday. "The franchise quarterback and star edge-rusher could’ve locked arms and led this franchise into a new contention window this fall. Garrett’s willingness to delay his salary from March until September, which allowed the Browns to rework his contract and make this trade more financially palatable, tells you what he really thought of Cleveland’s quarterback room and the team’s chances of getting it right anytime soon."

Per the Browns' website, Berry confirmed previous reports and revealed on Tuesday that Garrett didn't request a trade this offseason. However, the fact that Garrett waived the no-trade clause attached to the contract extension he signed last offseason indicates he feels the Browns aren't close to contending for much of note. 

Meanwhile, the 2027 draft class could be filled with multiple prospects rated higher than Sanders was when he fell to the fifth round of the 2025 player-selection process. 

"Where does that leave Watson and Sanders? In purgatory, mostly," Lloyd continued. "It looks like the Browns are committed to squeezing out whatever is left within Watson. ...If they thought Sanders was the ultimate answer, none of this would be necessary. There would be no plans to start Watson, and there would be no reason to trade Garrett." 

What Andrew Berry did, didn't say about the 2027 quarterback draft class

During Tuesday's news conference related to the Garrett trade, Berry was asked if he felt the deal could help the Browns "ultimately solve the quarterback issue" that has impacted the franchise since it gave up on Baker Mayfield after the 2021 season. 

"We’re way too premature to figure out how we’re going to deploy that asset," Berry said about acquiring an extra first-round draft pick. "We’ve got an entire season to play. We’ve got a group of players that we’re really excited to see this fall and, you know, we’ll deal with 2027 in 2027."

Watson is in the final year of his contract and seemingly has no long-term future with the Browns. The fact that neither his nor Sanders' name came up during Berry's answer about the 2027 draft likely says plenty about who will and won't be in Cleveland's quarterback room at this time next year.