The improvement that Browns‘ quarterback Shedeur Sanders needs to make in 2026 is as big as it could possibly be. As we come to the end of the list and chart season, the Browns quarterback received yet another ridiculously bad grade based solely on what he did on the field last year.
This graph shows a quarterback’s EPA (Expected Points Added) from inside the pocket on the X-axis and outside the pocket on the Y-axis. The further a player is from the intersection point, the better. So when Sanders lands at the lowest point on both axes, it is a very bad sign.
A look at quarterback EPA per play inside and outside the pocket.
Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, and Jordan Love all stood out as highly effective in both situations last year.
Inside/outside pocket designation via @FTNFantasy charting. pic.twitter.com/17zsw8L2ly
— Nutshell Sports (@NutshellSportz) July 15, 2026
Now, I am firmly in the camp that rookies should be given the room and space to develop. If you think that Sanders is even close to a finished product, you are sadly mistaken. Sometimes, things don’t click right away for a young player, and that is ok.
Given the system, personnel, and situation that Sanders had to deal with last year, I think it is more than fair to say that he deserves a second go at it, and a legit go at it.
With that said, he needs to show significant improvement nearly right away in 2026. Cleveland is in total evaluation mode because with these last two drafts that they put together, they have set the foundation and the plans to open a Super Bowl window in the next year or two.
Can Shedeur Sanders prove that he has what it takes to be the QB of Cleveland’s future?
Shedeur has the opportunity to prove that he needs to be the centerpiece of a Browns rebuild that could quickly change to a playoff contender depending on his play.
It is because of this that I believe it is an absolute no-brainer that the quarterback who needs to play next year is Sanders. If he proves that he improved where he needed to and that he can be a solution at the position, then the Browns have their quarterback.
If he proves that this graph is right and that he “struggles everywhere” and has no future, then Cleveland will have a top pick in next year’s draft that they can use on one of a slew of quarterbacks that will be available in the first round next year.
The next 10 months are very significant for Shedeur Sanders’ future in both Cleveland and the NFL. Hopefully, he can show that he is the answer that Browns fans have been waiting many years to find.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns’ QB Shedeur Sanders’ awful 2025 season cannot define his future
