Rams named in chaotic trade theory involving Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

The absence of injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford has created a blank canvas for NFL experts to paint their versions of what the Los Angeles Rams must do to resolve a difficult scenario. Well, that matter may be resolving on its own. Stafford is scheduled to work out on Saturday to see how well his back tolerates football-related motion and activity. If all goes well, he could be back at practice come Monday.

Good for him and the offense. Bad for the other quarterbacks on the roster, including Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn. But if Talking Head Nick Wright gets his wish, Bennett's struggle to get enough reps in camp is only beginning.

Per Wright, he views the Cleveland Browns as a bad environment for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. And he camouflages his interest in getting Sanders on a better team for his future by embedding a trade scenario for him amidst the uncertainty of the 37-year-old's back injury.

Rams could trade for Shedeur Sanders... but they won't

In Nick Wright's argument, Stafford injury plus injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo plus Stetson Bennett uncertainty equals must trade a Round 4 pick to the Cleveland Browns for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. Wright puts it point blank:

"If I'm Shedeur, I am hoping beyond hope that I look decent and the Los Angeles Rams call the Browns."

I hat to be the guy to say it, but don't hold your breath.

Why would any team trade for a Browns quarterback right now? The Browns roster holds six quarterbacks right now, and is getting plenty of scoffs and ridicule over a quarterback plan that appears to mimic throwing mudballs at a barn door to see if anything sticks. Even as the Browns face the 2025 NFL season, some quarterbacks will be released.

And it could very well be that Sanders is on the bubble. After all, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam never wanted Sanders in the first place. And that has prompted a discussion from an ESPN panel of NFL experts:

Why wouldn't the Rams be interested? The Rams had multiple opportunities to draft the rookie in the 2025 NFL Draft and chose not to do so. And that was just several months ago. Nothing that Sanders has accomplished with the Browns offense warrants the Rams paying a premium to add him.

If anything, LA would be more likely to sign a free agent veteran like Carson Wentz or Bryce Perkins than invest in a rookie who comes with a complete book of uncertainties.

Hey, I'll give Nick Wright credit for thinking outside of the box. But this scenario benefits Sanders and the Browns, rather than the Horns. And with all 32 teams forced to pare their rosters down to 53 players in a matter of weeks, no NFL general manager trades away a valuable draft pick to acquire a player who could be released soon.

The Browns' current quarterback situation is a mess right now. But don't expect the Rams to play the knight in shining armor in this situation. GM Les Snead reserves that for true NFL game changers. Shedeur Sanders has a steep climb ahead of him to get there.

As always, thanks for reading.

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