Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has hired his first NFL agent, a development that has fueled speculation he could pursue a trade. The report says Sanders retained Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sanders entered the NFL in 2025 and is in his second season. He went through the draft without an agent, was selected in the fifth round after hoping to go in the first, and signed his rookie contract without representation. The report describes the timing of his decision to hire an agent as unusual, but does not establish that Sanders has asked the Browns to trade him.
Multiple NFL sources cited by OutKick said they believe the hiring may signal that Sanders is preparing to seek a trade. The article cautions, however, that the sources were not directly connected to Sanders’ family. The possible trade request is therefore reported speculation, not a confirmed move by the quarterback or the team.
Von Gontard also represents Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter, who played with Sanders at the University of Colorado. The two were teammates and friends there and entered the 2025 draft in the same year. The report presents that existing relationship as a reason the agent could be a natural choice.
Sanders is currently the Browns’ backup. Cleveland coach Todd Monken selected veteran Deshaun Watson as the starter after a competition for the position. The report says that outcome disappointed Sanders, who is described as wanting to play and believing he can help a team. It also says he has largely taken a low profile in his backup role.
The Browns had a 3-2 record at the time of the report. Watson had thrown seven touchdown passes and two interceptions, with a 94.1 passer rating. The article notes that Cleveland had scored 93 points, placing it among the league’s lower-scoring offenses, and points to an inconsistent offensive line, a developing offense and a middling running game as factors. It does not report that the team was preparing to replace Watson with Sanders.
The article compares Sanders’ agent hiring with several past cases in which players hired or changed agents before seeking trades. It cites Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., whose agent hiring preceded a trade to Houston, as well as defensive players Minkah Fitzpatrick, Za’Darius Smith and Haason Reddick. Those examples provide context for the speculation but do not confirm Sanders has made the same decision.
The NFL trade deadline was listed as Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. The report frames the timing of Sanders’ representation as a reason trade rumors have intensified, while leaving his intentions unconfirmed.
