The trade speculations around Shedeur Sanders are nowhere close to coming to an end. Amid these trade speculations, a former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle comes to aid.

While making his appearance on 92.3 The Fan, former OT Joe Thomas defended Shedeur Sander amid the trade deal speculations by making a point about high pressure and less time to develop as a rookie quarterback. 

“Shedeur was forced into action in the middle of last year before he was ready,” Thomas said. “He had some high moments and some low moments, as you’d expect from any quarterback.” 

Thomas dismissed the idea of trading the 2025 NFL draftee, as it is too early for anyone to arrive at a conclusion regarding his caliber and future as a QB.

“He’s a development project. He’s got a lot of work to do. He needs time to develop,” he added. “If you’re just gonna throw him away for a fourth-rounder, it makes no sense because we have no idea what he can be as our starting quarterback.” 

He highlighted the 2025 season, where Sanders was given the job of primary quarterback amid the Browns' QB crisis.

Even in the rookie season, he appeared in eight games for the Browns and threw for 1,400 yards and scored seven TDs.

With Deshaun Watson missing the entire season with a torn Achilles and Dhillion Gabriel being benched after failing to spark the offense as the initial starter, Sanders still played well, per Thomas. 

Thomas believes that he was not given the time to develop, while him being in his last collegiate season. Shedeur performed the league's best, he appeared in 13 games where he threw for 4,134 yards and scored 37 TDs with 74.0 CMP%.

Thomas may have urged patience, but the speculation surrounding Sanders' future has only intensified.

Another Trade Destination Emerges for Shedeur Sanders

As the trade chatter intensifies, another potential trade spot for Shedeur Sanders emerges in the name of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per Cooper Kleinberg of PFSN. 

Based on Kleinberg, there are still uncertainties around Baker Mayfield’s contract extension, and the rest of the QB depth chart does not offer a long-term solution to their quarterback problem. 

Presently, the Buccaneers have veteran Jake Browning, along with Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels on their QB depth chart. If the contract negotiations fail, the Buccaneers will be forced to hit the market for QB talent. 

This is where Shedeur Sanders comes into play, as he will provide them a long-term developmental quarterback option to fill the shoes of Mayfield. 

Amid the trade speculations, Shedeur Sanders continues to fill in as the QB reps between him and Deshaun Watson to land the QB1 position in the Browns.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker