Video Shedeur Sanders to start for Browns, Chargers are ‘THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IN NFL HISTORY’? | FTF The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-7, and Nick Wright has called them the "biggest disappointment in NFL history." Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes discuss this take and ask if it’s valid, and they discuss Shedeur Sanders being in line to start for the Cleveland Browns as Deshaun Watson is in concussion protocol.
It is the week of the backup quarterback around the NFL and by the time we're done, we could come to understand why the quarterback-driven league is, for some teams, a backup-quarterback-driven week.
Five backup quarterbacks are starting for their teams in Week 9, with three of those players thrust into the starting job on teams with playoff expectations.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Tyrus Wheat and defensive tackle Lt. Overton in the first half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 22, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
This is the week Shedeur Sanders starts for Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns, Drew Lock starts instead of Sam Darnold for the Seattle Seahawks, Carson Wentz starts for Kyler Murray with the Minnesota Vikings – all playing on teams in thick of a playoff hunt.
The situation is probably different for the Arizona Cardinals, who are starting Gardner Minshew, and the Philadelphia Eagles, who are turning to Joe Milton because both those teams are currently outside the playoff picture and indeed under .500.
So here's the breakdown of five new starters and what is at stake:
Minshew's last start before this week was Oct. 6, 2024, with the Raiders, and unlike most of the others in this group, he has already been given a chance to extend his tenure beyond this game.
Tanner McKee and Joe Milton of the Philadelphia Eagles look on before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 18, 2026. (Getty Images)
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This will be Milton’s first NFL start, and while the Eagles have not committed beyond this game, Hurts’ season-ending injury gives Milton a legitimate opportunity to keep the job if he plays well.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 23, 2025. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
Lock’s most recent start was Sept. 20 against Arizona, when he threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Darnold is expected to reclaim the job when healthy.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass to tight end Carsen Ryan during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 22, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sanders last started an NFL regular season game on Jan. 4, 2026, in the Browns’ 20-18 victory over Cincinnati, the seventh of his 2025 rookie season.
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Sanders is not expected to take the starting job from Watson although playing well opens the door for him to be considered more of an option if Watson suddenly reverts to the type of play that made him something of an enigma in Cleveland before the 2026 season.
The biggest opportunity of the week is sitting there for Wentz. He has thrown 5 TD passes in 101 snaps for the Vikings this year.
Murray, meanwhile, has been inconsistent and thrown 6 TDs in over 300 snaps.
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