Jarvis Landry: Patience Could Serve Shedeur Sanders Well in Cleveland
The short version
- Browns are 1-1 in 2026; Deshaun Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders for the starting QB job in the preseason.
- Watson has completed 76.9% of his passes for 443 yards, three TDs, one INT, and 60 rushing yards through two weeks.
- Former Browns WR Jarvis Landry said on the "Up & Adams Show" that sitting benefits Sanders under first-time head coach Todd Monken.
- Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven TDs, and 10 INTs as a rookie in eight games; trade rumors have surfaced this season.
The former Browns receiver explained why he believes watching from the bench may benefit the second-year quarterback amid a season of change.
The Cleveland Browns sit at 1-1 to open the 2026 NFL campaign, with Deshaun Watson under center for both contests. Watson claimed the starting job over Shedeur Sanders during training camp and the preseason, a decision that disappointed a portion of the fan base hoping the young quarterback would get the nod.
Watson's arrival in Cleveland came via a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans, and his tenure since has been marked by uneven performances and injury trouble. His early 2026 numbers, however, have been solid: a 76.9 percent completion rate, 443 passing yards, three touchdowns against one interception, plus 60 yards on the ground.
Sanders, now in his second professional season, has yet to take the field this year, and his name has circulated in trade speculation. Former Browns wideout Jarvis Landry addressed the quarterback's situation during a guest spot on the "Up & Adams Show" with Kay Adams, arguing that time on the bench could actually serve him well at this stage.
Landry pointed to the unusual circumstances surrounding the franchise, noting that Todd Monken is a first-time head coach handling play-calling duties. He described the difficulty of weekly preparation and suggested that pairing a first-year head coach with a quarterback who draws heavy media attention, along with a rebuilt roster, offensive line, and staff, creates a steep challenge.
"No matter who you put back there, Shedeur or Deshaun, it's not gonna be successful right now," Landry said, adding that the team is still sorting itself out. Rather than being tossed into that environment, he would prefer to see Sanders stay on the development path he was already following.
As a rookie, Sanders appeared in eight games, posting 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on 56.6 percent passing, to go with 169 rushing yards and a rushing score. He is 25 years old, and there is little incentive to rush him into action before he is fully prepared for the demands of the position.
Plenty remains uncertain, including whether Sanders will develop into a long-term starter and whether he will even stay with the Browns past this season. Still, the flashes he has shown in Cleveland suggest his situation is not a lost cause, and waiting may not be the setback some fans fear.
Cleveland's next outing comes at home, with the Carolina Panthers visiting Huntington Bank Field on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT. The game airs on FOX.
Games to watch
