Cleveland Browns fans have been calling for a change at the quarterback position since, well, the moment that Deshaun Watson was announced as the starter. As confident as Todd Monken seems to be in his QB1, Watson's Week 1 performance didn't do anything to ease fans' concerns. A switch to Shedeur Sanders at some point this season seems inevitable.
The question is more about when than if Sanders gets promoted. The Browns may have just dropped a hint that the change is coming sooner than expected with a mid-week practice squad signing.
On Thursday morning, Jordan Schultz reported that Cleveland is signing wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. to the practice squad. Horn Jr. was recently released by the Carolina Panthers, where he primarily played on special teams.
More notably, though, he played with Sanders at Colorado. Could the QB-WR reunion be an early sign that the Browns are handing the reins to the second-year quarterback in the coming weeks?
Browns point to potential Shedeur Sanders start with Jimmy Horn Jr. signing
An early-season practice squad signing might seem inconsequential, but Horn Jr. is a capable NFL wideout. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see him promoted to the active roster soon. The Browns weren't even the only team that wanted to sign him after his Panthers release. According to Schultz, "there were 3 other teams heavily interested in Horn Jr."
The connection between Sanders and Horn Jr. dates back to 2023, when the duo combined for plenty of explosive plays at Colorado. In two seasons, the speedy wideout totaled over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Panthers picked Horn Jr. in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He played a minor role as a rookie, catching just 11 passes. He was expected to be Carolina's primary kick and punt returner this season, but a muffed punt in Week 1 was enough to push him off the roster.
The top of the Browns' wide receiver rotation is solidified, with rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion highlighting the group, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Horn Jr. overtake Malachi Corley, Tylan Wallace, or Isaiah Bond later in the season.
The young wideout could provide a boost to Cleveland's offense and special teams, but nobody will be more impacted by this signing than Sanders. With the addition of a receiver he has an established connection with, the second-year passer has yet another advantage over Watson.
Watson certainly left the door open for Sanders with his performance in Week 1. After throwing an interception, fumbling, and taking five sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the veteran hasn't exactly validated Monken's decision to start him.
It's hard to believe that the connection between Sanders and Horn Jr. was an accident. The Browns could be setting Sanders up to take over sooner rather than later.
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