Browns Urged to Trade for Pro Bowl QB as Shedeur Sanders Replacement

After a controversial Pro Bowl nod for Shedeur Sanders, Browns voices are pushing for a bold move to land another high-profile QB.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 12:07am

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The Cleveland Browns enter the NFL offseason still sorting through inconsistency at quarterback, and Shedeur Sanders' surprising Pro Bowl addition did little to quiet the debate. During a segment on 92.3 The Fan, Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin urged the Browns to aggressively pursue a trade for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, even if it meant surrendering the No. 24 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

Acquiring Stroud would represent an immediate upgrade in pedigree and production for the Browns, delivering the 'plug-and-play' stability many Browns fans crave. However, the cost would be significant, as the No. 24 pick carries real roster-building value, and any trade for Stroud would eventually force Cleveland to confront a major second-contract extension.

The details

In eight appearances (seven starts), Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He averaged 6.6 yards per attempt, and his 68.1 passer rating and 18.9 QBR both ranked near the bottom of the league. Stroud, on the other hand, is just 24 years old and entering his fourth NFL season, having led the Texans to the playoffs in each of his first three years as the starter. The No. 2 overall pick in 2023, he burst onto the scene with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl nod, guiding Houston to back-to-back 10–7 seasons before a 12–5 finish in 2025.

  • In 2025, Shedeur Sanders was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement despite uneven rookie production.
  • On Wednesday, Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin urged the Browns to pursue a trade for C.J. Stroud during a segment on 92.3 The Fan.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

A controversial Pro Bowl selection in 2025 despite uneven rookie production for the Browns.

C.J. Stroud

A 24-year-old quarterback for the Houston Texans, who has led the team to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons and is widely viewed as one of the league's ascending quarterbacks.

Jeff Phelps

A host on 92.3 The Fan who urged the Browns to pursue a trade for C.J. Stroud.

Andy Baskin

A host on 92.3 The Fan who joined Phelps in urging the Browns to pursue a trade for C.J. Stroud.

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What they’re saying

“I'd give up the No. 24 pick in a heartbeat for C.J. Stroud.”

— Jeff Phelps, Host, 92.3 The Fan

“I'd be more tempted to give up No. 24 than I would No. 6.”

— Andy Baskin, Host, 92.3 The Fan

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains unsettled, and the debate over Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl selection has reignited calls for the team to pursue a more established starter like C.J. Stroud. While acquiring Stroud would provide immediate stability, the cost in draft capital and future contract commitments could be significant, forcing the Browns to weigh the potential benefits against the long-term roster-building implications.