Shedeur Sanders might finally be getting his opportunity as a starter this season to prove he belongs under center for the Cleveland Browns. However, one start might not be enough to change his standing in the quarterback room.

With Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, Sanders is in line to make his first start of the season against the New Orleans Saints. According to Cam Newton, the second-year quarterback will need something special to convince Cleveland to reconsider its quarterback plans.

Cam Newton Sets Benchmark for Shedeur Sanders to Keep Browns Starting QB Job

Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, three-time Pro Bowler and former Carolina Panthers quarterback, believes a big performance could significantly change the conversation surrounding Sanders’ future.

Speaking on “4th&1 with Cam Newton,” he suggested that Sanders would need to deliver an exceptional offensive performance to have a realistic chance of keeping the starting role.

“The stock could be hot,” Newton said. “The only way I see Shedeur Sanders starting for the rest of the season is if they exceed some type of benchmark that was set. Like, I think it was 300 yards plus. If they have a 400-yard offensive day, oh man, we’ve got to reconsider some stuff.”

Sanders, for his part, is keeping it simple. “On my end, I just have to step up for the quarterback room, for the team, and do what I have to do,” he said at his Wednesday press conference.

This is not unfamiliar territory for the second-year quarterback. Sanders took over Cleveland’s offense last season after Dillon Gabriel sustained a concussion, starting the Browns’ final seven games of the campaign.

Cleveland went 3-4 during his seven starts, with Sanders finishing his rookie season with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Those numbers leave plenty of room for improvement, but he now has a full offseason in Todd Monken’s offense behind him and has had additional time to develop chemistry with his potential targets.

Deshaun Watson’s Inconsistent Numbers Give Sanders an Opening

Newton’s proposed benchmark might sound demanding, but Watson’s performances this season offer some context for why Sanders could have an opportunity to make an impression.

Through eight games, Watson has thrown for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. He ranks 22nd in Pro Football Network’s QB Impact Score with a 70.3 grade, while his EPA per dropback sits around zero.

Although Watson has completed 65.5% of his passes, his 33 sacks and 2.8% passing touchdown rate highlight some of the limitations in Cleveland’s passing game.

Consistency has also been a concern. After a difficult season opener against Jacksonville, Watson threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay. However, he followed that performance with fewer than 150 passing yards against Carolina.

He bounced back with 268 yards against Pittsburgh before managing just 155 yards in a loss to the New York Jets. Watson has particularly struggled early in games, posting a 55.7 passer rating in first quarters, compared with ratings above 97.0 in each of the final three quarters.

Those performances leave the door open for Sanders to make an impression. However, the opportunity comes with an important caveat. Watson could reclaim the starting role once he clears concussion protocol, while Sanders’ rookie-season turnover numbers remain a reason for caution.

But if Sanders delivers anything close to what Newton described, Cleveland may have a decision to make.