Ex-NFL QB Sends Shedeur Sanders Blunt Message on Browns Trade Buzz

Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback with just one snap in his past five games, has drawn considerable trade speculation following his arrival with an agent. Chris Simms, a former NFL quarterback with eight years of experience, advises Sanders to disregard such chatter on "Pro Football Talk." Simms' advice boiled down to two simple words: stay ready.

His reasoning focused on the man ahead of Sanders on the depth chart, a history of frequent injuries over the past four or five years. Simms also predicted that Sanders would eventually see playing time. "Be ready when your time comes, 'cause if you make me bet, you’re gonna have that time," he said. Simms believed a mid-season trade would leave Sanders in a worse position than staying put.

"It’s definitely better than going somewhere else, trying to learn a playbook," Simms said. In his opinion, Sanders should remain with the Browns and consider a trade move only after the season. Sanders made seven starts during his 2025 rookie season before being replaced by Deshaun Watson, the head coach Todd Monken's starter. Watson's performance in the fourth quarter of three consecutive games, including a 27-24 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, solidified his place as Monken's choice.

The New York Jets' 17-12 win on October 11th only added to the Browns' efforts to keep Sanders. His agent joined the Browns on October 14th, but it appears Cleveland is more interested in developing Sanders further than trading him. The Browns' next game is a home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, currently listed as 3.5-point underdogs, with the injury to Lamar Jackson raising the possibility of Tyler Huntley starting for Baltimore.