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The Cleveland Browns have built a crowded quarterback room this offseason, but it could suddenly become a lot lighter following the retirement of Derek Carr from the NFL. So what does it mean for Shedeur Sanders?
Carr's sudden retirement from the New Orleans Saints reshapes quarterback competition in the league after the 34-year-old hung up his cleats on May 10 following ongoing complications from a shoulder injury.
After consulting with medical experts, the Saints organization, and his wife, he concluded he could no longer perform at the level necessary to remain in the league and bowed out instead of risking more hurt.
His exit has triggered a quarterback competition in New Orleans among rookie Tyler Shough, second-year player Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. However, none of them have proven themselves and all lack experience.
Meanwhile, the Browns' quarterback situation stands in stark contrast. The team added seasoned veteran Joe Flacco in free agency on a one-year contract and traded for Kenny Pickett, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
That means they could be prime pickings for the Saints front office in a bid to land a starter who has played a considerable amount of football previously, and with the Browns also boasting two rookies, they can afford to let one senior go.
This scenario directly benefits Shedeur Sanders. If either Flacco or Pickett is dealt before the season, Sanders' path to the backup, or even starting, role could become clearer.
The former Colorado Buffaloes standout and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, enters the NFL with significant hype and an equal amount of scepticism. This move makes proving himself far easier than an uphill battle behind multiple veterans.
Sanders produced 4134 ing yards and 37 touchdowns at Folsom Field in the 2024/25 NCAA season, leading his team to the Alamo Bowl alongside the Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Hunter.
However, there are fears his personality, role of his dad in his career, and inherent weaknesses in his game such as his deep-throw threat, could mean he isn't worth taking on all of the attention that comes with his brand.
Would the Saints pick Sanders or Flacco?
Each of the veterans, Flacco and Pickett, will earn approximately $3 million this season, making them affordable and attractive trade options.
And according to Damon Wolfe, the odds are high that Cleveland won't retain all four signal callers when the 53-man roster is finalized.
"Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett becoming available at some point before the season is a real possibility," Wolfe told SB Nation. "As it will be unlikely that Cleveland would keep all four on the initial 53-man roster.
"Connecting Pickett to the Saints would also make sense, as he played for [head coach Kellen] Moore last season in Philadelphia."