"Congratulations, Shedeur, you made it without getting cut": Shilo Sanders mocks his brother after Deshaun Watson's election as starter

S hilo Sanders found a humorous way to congratulate his younger brother, Shedeur Sanders , after the Cleveland Browns finally settled their quarterback competition ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

After weeks of uncertainty, Cleveland head coach Todd Monken selected veteran Deshaun Watson as the team's starting quarterback over Shedeur , who entered his second professional season hoping to establish himself as the Browns ' long-term answer under center.

Rather than offering his brother a straightforward message of support, Shilo opted for some sibling-style trolling.

“Congratulations, Shedeur . You made it through preseason without getting cut,” Shilo told Shedeur in a video call.

The joke reflects the close relationship between the two brothers, who spent their college careers playing alongside one another.

They first teamed up at Jackson State in 2021 and 2022 before following their father, Deion Sanders , to Colorado for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Their careers have taken different paths since leaving college, but Shilo has remained one of Shedeur's most vocal supporters.

That support was particularly noticeable during the Browns ' quarterback competition. When reports emerged suggesting Watson was ahead of Shedeur in the race, Shilo publicly pushed back.

Cleveland insider Mary Kay Cabot had reported on the developing competition, and Shilo responded on social media with a comment that generated its own controversy.

“Go make a sandwich, Mary,” Shilo wrote on socials.

The remark was widely criticized as sexist, but it also demonstrated just how closely Shilo had been following his brother's battle for the starting position.

Shedeur ultimately gave Cleveland's coaching staff plenty to consider. The Browns had Watson and Sanders alternate opportunities throughout training camp and the preseason, with Monken repeatedly stressing that he wanted to evaluate the entire body of work before making his decision.

The Browns officially announced Watson as their Week 1 starter on August 24. The decision came after Watson and Sanders had spent much of the offseason competing for the job.

Shedeur Sanders still has a future in Cleveland

Although the starting job went to Watson , Cleveland's decision was not an indication that the organization had given up on Shedeur.

The Browns included the second-year quarterback on their initial 53-man roster, with the team identifying him as Watson's backup. Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve, while rookie Taylen Green also remained in the quarterback room.

Monken has also made it clear that the coaching staff sees potential in Shedeur .

“I’m excited about the long game for him,” Monken said a few days back. “There are certain things he has to continue to work on, and he’s going to continue to grow leaps and bounds because he’s a sponge, takes it all in, he really does. So, I just think it’s a matter of time before we get a chance to see that.”

That assessment suggests Cleveland still views Sanders as a developing quarterback rather than simply a short-term backup.

The competition itself was relatively close at various points during the preseason. Sanders showed flashes of the passing ability that made him one of the most recognizable quarterback prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft.

He also benefited from extensive first-team opportunities as Monken deliberately gave both quarterbacks opportunities to operate the offense.

Watson , meanwhile, brought considerably more NFL experience to the competition. The veteran entered the season having previously thrown for 17,904 yards and 123 touchdowns during his regular-season career, while also returning from a lengthy injury absence.

Ultimately, Monken chose experience and believed Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to immediately operate the offense effectively.

“Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points,” Monken said after the QB1 announcement.

“I mean, that’s really what it’s about. And felt that way going in the last game but wasn’t sure. And after we talked as a staff and after we relooked at everything, we’re going to go that direction.”

The Browns ' decision means Shedeur will begin the season in a backup role, but that could change quickly if Watson struggles or suffers an injury.

Cleveland's Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13 will therefore be closely watched, particularly given the amount of attention surrounding the quarterback position.

The Browns have already made clear that Watson is their starter, but the organization has also emphasized that Sanders remains an important part of its future plans.

For Shilo , though, the seriousness of the quarterback competition has not stopped the family from having some fun.

His sarcastic congratulations served as a reminder that, regardless of who wins the starting job, the Sanders brothers' competitive relationship remains very much alive.

And after Shedeur successfully made Cleveland's roster despite all the offseason uncertainty, Shilo clearly felt his younger brother had earned at least one playful celebration.