Cleveland Browns
Perhaps no team in the league should be as desperate to find a young, cheap quarterback as the Cleveland Browns. They still owe Deshaun Watson an outrageous $92 million in guaranteed money over the next two years, which means they're likely priced out of landing a credible veteran before 2027. Sanders could learn behind Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett to open the season until he earns the chance to start.
The Browns hold the 33rd overall pick and are flush with resources for the next two years after trading the second overall pick. They can afford to gamble on Sanders while still building out the rest of their roster.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints hold the 40th overall pick and have one of the league's most uncertain quarterback situations. Derek Carr's 2025 status remains completely up in the air due to a shoulder injury. It remains unclear whether or not he'll opt for potentially season-ending shoulder surgery. Even if Carr ends up playing, he's no longer the long-term answer in New Orleans.
The Saints aren't far from competing for the NFC South title. They finished tied for the division's best record in 2023, and healthy, reliable quarterback play could have them back in the hunt in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers showed interest in Sanders during the pre-draft process. They've also yet to sign Aaron Rodgers in the weeks since he visited their facility. The only quarterback on their roster to ever start an NFL game is Mason Rudolph, and he hardly inspires confidence. They're competent quarterback play away from being a perennial contender.
The Steelers may not have the draft ammunition to land Sanders. After trading their second-round pick for D.K. Metcalf, they don't pick again until the 83rd overall pick in the third round. They're also not a franchise known to aggressively move up in the draft. Pittsburgh is a great fit for Sanders, but landing with them will require him falling very, very far in the draft.
Honorable Mentions
The Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and even the Los Angeles Rams all have quarterbacks that may be on their last legs. There's no telling how effective Geno Smith will be after moving from the Seattle Seahawks to the Raiders. Kyler Murray has reportedly lost the confidence of ownership in Arizona. The Jets are set to start Justin Fields, and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford just turned 37 years old. All those teams could need a new quarterback sooner rather than later and could benefit from having Sanders waiting in the wings.
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