Shedeur Sanders receives bleak news on future as Browns snubbed by offensive mastermind

Jan 21, 2026 - 11:45

The Cleveland Browns have been snubbed by Mike McDaniel.

The former Miami Dolphins head coach agreed to a deal to become the new offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins reacts to a play in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) — McDaniel is set to assume the role of the OC with the Chargers

This announcement came just hours after McDaniel informed the Browns that he was withdrawing from a scheduled in-person interview for their vacant head coaching role, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

McDaniel reportedly notified the organization – who fired Kevin Stefanski after six seasons – that he wasn’t interested in taking charge of an offense that could potentially feature Shedeur Sanders.

Instead, the opportunity to coach a quarterback of Justin Herbert‘s caliber was just too appealing to turn down.

The 42-year-old was also pursued as a top OC target by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, but relished the chance to return back to California where he had spent years with the San Francisco 49ers to work under Jim Harbaugh.

McDaniel has been widely touted as an offensive mastermind, with coaches all around the NFL marvelling at what he has achieved since entering the league.

Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott – who is the latest to lose his job in this current coaching cycle – spoke of the Dolphins offense under McDaniel in 2023, branding it as ‘almost revolutionary.

“Their [the Dolphins] schematics are almost revolutionary in what they do. Coach McDaniel is very creative and does a lot of things to get you out of position on defense,” McDermott said.

McDaniel was credited for turning the career of former first-round draft pick Tua Tagovailoa around as Miami ranked inside the top 10 for total yards (sixth overall) for the first time since 1995.

In their second season together in 2023, Miami led the NFL in total offense, with the quarterback finishing the campaign as the league’s passing yards leader with 4,624, and earning his lone Pro Bowl nod as they reached the playoffs for the second straight season.

Now the onus will be on McDaniel to try and help Herbert to find his groove in the postseason, with the Chargers signal caller having gone 0-3 in his career to date.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Mike McDaniel speaks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium — McDaniel nurtured Tagovailoa and saw the Dolphins QB have his best two seasons as a pro in 2022 and 2023

Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eaglesat during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2025 — Now McDaniel gets a chance at trying to help Chargers QB Herbert take his play up a gear

Sanders’ future cast into doubt

With McDaniel no longer a candidate for the vacancy in Cleveland, questions loom over who the Browns brass could look to turn their attention to next.

Until a new head coach is appointed, the future of quarterback Sander still remains in huge doubt.

The son of NFL icon Deion Sanders endured a rollercoaster rookie campaign after suffering an all-time draft slide, being named as fourth on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart before finally earning his first start in Week 12 of the regular season.

In seven outings under center as a starter, the 23-year-old had a 3-4 record, notching the most wins on the season than the Browns’ other two starters in Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel combined (2).

With the expected return of $230 million Deshaun Watson, there are questions beginning to form over whether Sanders will enter the season as QB1.

“I just don’t think [the Browns] go into the season with Shedeur as their top option,” an NFC personnel man said, via ESPN.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 04, 2026 — Sanders’ future as QB1 has been cast into doubt

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders #12 and Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns watch from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 17-16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) — The Browns have to decide whether to stick with Shedeur Sanders (L) or give Deshaun Watson another chance (R), or look elsewhere entirely

“And getting the right quarterback in the draft isn’t a guarantee based on where they pick.”

The Browns currently possess the No. 6 and No. 24 pick in the upcoming draft, and it can’t be ruled out that they may look to target yet another quarterback with either of those picks.

But the anonymous NFC personnel man isn’t alone in that thinking, as ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi is also of the belief that Sanders may not enter the season as the starter.

“I think he’ll compete. I think it’ll be fair,” Grossi said on Tuesday. “I don’t think he deserves to be handed the job.

“I’ve said it before. [General Manager] Andrew Berry has had 10 times he could commit to him and he never has. He’s not his advocate.”

There is also some quality available in free agency such as that of Malik Willis who impressed in his lone start for the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 campaign.

Whilst the Browns may look to target the 26-year-old, their chances of actually being successful in acquiring the free agent quarterback appear to be minimal due to having earned a larger pay day as a result of his performances.

One thing in Cleveland is for certain, though – the quarterback carousel continues to spin.

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