Browns' legend Bernie Kosar gives high praise to QB Shedeur Sanders

As the Cleveland Browns begin to prepare for the 2026 NFL season, the organization’s current quarterback battle between veteran Deshaun Watson and 24-year-old Shedeur Sanders continues to be the main storyline heading into training camp.

Watson, after missing last season due to an Achilles tear he suffered during the 2024 season, is now finally back in the starting quarterback mix leading up to the upcoming season. Still, while the battle between the 30-year-old and Sanders remains a huge question mark, a familiar face to Browns fans recently gave praise to the team’s young quarterback.

While discussing the Browns’ quarterback competition on Yahoo! Sports Daily, legendary former quarterback Bernie Kosar gave high praise to Sanders, claiming that he believes the young quarterback will receive an opportunity early in the season if he is not named the starter for Week One.

“For Shedeur to come in to come in as a [rookie], with a really limited talent roster around him offensively, he certainly made plays,” Kosar stated. “He deserves to be in the mix, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Shedeur get this opportunity early if he doesn't come out as the Game 1 starter.”

Browns’ quarterback battle

After being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders began his rookie season as the No. 4 quarterback on the Browns’ depth chart. However, this did not prevent him from seeing the field throughout the 2025 season, as he made his NFL debut in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens after fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the first half.

Sanders would then go on to start the rest of the regular season for the Browns, finishing with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also completing 56.6 percent of his passes. And while the polarizing quarterback faced plenty of adversity last season, there were enough flashes to keep him in consideration for the starting quarterback role in 2026.