Shedeur Sanders' IG post fuels speculation of farewell to Browns as trade rumors intensify ahead of deadline

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made a cryptic Instagram post that fueled further speculation of a farewell to the franchise. The Colorado alum posted a landscape picture of himself in front of a crowd of fans, several of them with outstretched arms towards the quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders' Instagram story

Sanders has been a subject of much trade speculation in the past week, especially with his addition to the Browns’ injury report. The fifth-round pick was limited in practice throughout the week with a back injury that eventually ruled him out of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Reports of Deshaun Watson's potential return from his Achilles injury also added to the questions about Sanders’ future at Cleveland. One of the suggested destinations for the former Colorado quarterback is the New York Jets, where a great question mark hangs over the quarterback position.

Faith in Justin Fields as the franchise quarterback is at an all-time low, with owner Woody Johnson calling him out. However, Jets coach Aaron Glenn started him against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday despite refusing to name a No. 1 quarterback earlier in the week.

The prospect that the Jets would want a new passer for wide receiver Garrett Wilson is not unthinkable.

Insider shuts down Shedeur Sanders trade speculation

Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot reported that there is no substance to rumors of an imminent Shedeur Sanders trade by the Browns. The Cleveland.com reporter maintained that the franchise is not considering shipping Sanders out, writing:

“Social media speculation ran rampant on Saturday when the Browns added Sanders to the injury report as questionable for the Patriots game with back tightness. But the soreness is legitimate, and the Browns have no plans to trade Sanders, even though he’s not getting any first-team reps in practice, and might not see the field for a while.”

Shedeur Sanders got elevated in the Browns' depth chart following Joe Flacco's departure to Cincinnati and Dillon Gabriel's promotion to No. 1. However, he missed Sunday's game against the New England Patriots with a back injury.

Meanwhile, Bailey Zappe was called from the practice squad to be Gabriel's backup on Sunday. However, Sanders is expected back in his spot as backup to fellow rookie Gabriel once he's back from injury.

The Browns will head into a bye week following Sunday's game and will be back on Nov. 9 for a showdown with the New York Jets.