Tension in Cleveland: Fans are losing patience with Shedeur Sanders and calling for him to be traded

The Cleveland Browns ’ quarterback competition was already generating plenty of attention, but the debate surrounding Shedeur Sanders has now taken another turn, with some frustrated fans calling for the team to move on from the young quarterback.

The controversy is not primarily about something Sanders has done on the field. Instead, an increasingly heated dispute between sections of his fan base and Cleveland media has created another layer of noise around a quarterback who is already under pressure to establish himself in his second NFL season.

Sanders was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th overall pick. The Browns had traded up to acquire that selection, making him part of a quarterback-heavy draft class that also included Dillon Gabriel .

His rookie season offered both encouragement and concern. Sanders appeared in eight games and made seven starts, completing 120 of 212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His passer rating was 68.1.

Those numbers mean Sanders enters 2026 with plenty to prove, but the latest criticism is focused on something quite different.

According to the report that sparked the latest discussion, 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter suggested that Sanders has “keyboard warriors” on his payroll who repeatedly engage with Browns reporters. The comments reportedly led to angry reactions from some Sanders supporters, with one particularly troubling response even suggesting a confrontation with Ruiter at Huntington Bank Field.

That has left some Cleveland supporters wishing the entire situation would simply disappear.

“When he gets cut because of this nonsense I wonder who they’ll blame,” one fan wrote on X.

Another took a more measured position, arguing that Sanders should only be judged on his football.

“Realistically a QB shouldn’t be cut due to fans squabbling with the media. If he’s bad on the field today he should be cut for that,” a second fan said.

A third fan was considerably harsher, writing: “ Shedeur stans will be SHOCKED when he gets cut eventually, and no other NFL team touches the guy,” before arguing that his supporters would blame the league rather than accept responsibility.

Sanders' football performance remains the bigger issue

The important distinction is that there is currently no indication the Browns are seriously considering releasing Sanders simply because of online arguments involving his supporters.

In fact, Sanders remains firmly involved in Cleveland's quarterback competition. He started Saturday's preseason meeting with the Buffalo Bills and completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, although he also threw an interception and was sacked. The Browns ultimately lost 31-7.

Sanders ' performance was nevertheless viewed more positively than that of Deshaun Watson, who completed only 5 of 12 attempts for 35 yards and threw an interception. Watson was also booed by Browns fans during his return to action at Huntington Bank Field.

That comparison could matter significantly as Cleveland prepares to make its decision.

Head coach Todd Monken has indicated that the quarterback competition will not drag deep into the final days before the regular season.

“I do not anticipate the quarterback decision going past early in next week,” Monken said.

For Sanders , that makes the coming days considerably more important than the arguments taking place on social media.

The Browns need to determine whether the 24-year-old can become a long-term answer at quarterback or whether they should turn elsewhere. His college résumé provides reason for optimism: Sanders finished at Colorado with 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024 while earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

But his NFL production remains the ultimate measure.

If Sanders performs well, the noise surrounding his fan base and Cleveland media is likely to become background chatter. If he struggles, every mistake will inevitably receive greater scrutiny.

For now, there is little reason to believe Cleveland will simply cut a young quarterback it invested a draft pick in because of an online feud. Sanders' roster position will ultimately be decided by coaches and executives evaluating his football ability.

The Browns open their regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, meaning the quarterback decision is rapidly approaching. Until then, Sanders has a much more important task than worrying about his critics: proving he belongs at the top of Cleveland's depth chart.