Shedeur Sanders Makes Pro Bowl After 7 Touchdowns, 10 Interceptions

Jan 27
2 min read

NFL's Most Controversial Pick?

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders earned a Pro Bowl roster spot despite posting one of the worst statistical seasons for any quarterback in 2026. The fifth-round pick's selection as an AFC replacement has ignited fierce debate across the NFL, with analysts and fans questioning how a quarterback with more interceptions than touchdowns received the honor.

The Numbers Behind the Controversy

In seven starts for the Browns, Sanders completed just 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, throwing seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

His 68.1 passer rating and 18.9 QBR ranked among the league's worst, and Cleveland went 3-4 in games he started. By comparison, Pro Football Focus ranked him 42nd out of 43 qualifying quarterbacks this season.

Why Sanders Got the Nod

The selection came after Super Bowl-bound Patriots quarterback Drake Maye became unavailable for the Pro Bowl. With Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix also dealing with injury concerns, the AFC needed a replacement. Despite significantly better seasons from quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud, the NFL selected Sanders, drawing immediate criticism from across the league.

The Fall and Rise of Shedeur Sanders

Once projected as a first-round talent coming out of Colorado, Sanders watched five other quarterbacks get drafted ahead of him, including Jaxson Dart (No. 25), Tyler Shough (No. 40), and fellow Browns pick Dillon Gabriel (No. 94). He finally heard his name called 144th overall in the fifth round. Now, ironically, he's the only rookie quarterback from the 2026 draft class heading to the Pro Bowl.

What's Next for Sanders and Cleveland?

The Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, who immediately took the Atlanta Falcons job, and finished the season 5-12. The organization hasn't committed to Sanders as their 2026 starter, making his Pro Bowl selection an unexpected complication in their quarterback evaluation. Whether this selection represents genuine recognition or simply availability at the right time remains hotly debated.

Investors and Founders Summit USA 🚀

Your Network is Your Networth. Meet the biggest founders, decision makers and investors from around the world, make business partnerships, get new clients, and get funding for your project.