The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has been on everyone’s lips this offseason, with Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson vying for the job. Given Sanders’s polarizing public image, there have been heated debates over who head coach Todd Monken should start in Week 1. Some fans have even embraced conspiracy theories.
Mark Schlereth Bashes Browns QB Shedeur Sanders’ ‘Ridiculous’ Fans
Ever since Sanders began aiming for the NFL in Colorado, his detractors have questioned his readiness, and his fans have stoked the fire. From being honored with a jersey retirement in Boulder to being drafted in the fifth round to claiming the Browns’ starting job, it’s been a wild ride for the 24-year-old quarterback and everyone involved.
While his fans were calmed by the fact that he won the starting job, the fact that he seems to have lost it to Watson again is sparking a new fire this offseason.
Three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth, however, is having none of Sanders’s fanbase. He appeared on “92.3 The Fan,” where he commented on Watson likely taking the starting gig.
“The coaches on the staff, they have no reason to lie to me. There was a lot of work to be done [with Sanders], and on film, when you study him, there was a lot of work left to do,” Schlereth said. “So it doesn’t surprise me that Watson’s ahead of the game.”
“Doesn’t surprise me that the Sanders family had something to say about it,” he added. “They are very vocal when it comes to their support of Shedeur. And I think Shedeur has got some growing up to do, like we all did as young players… There were aspects of his game, based on the coaches I talked to and I talked to a bunch of them, that needed to develop.”
“The coaches on the staff, they have no reason to lie to me…there was a lot of work to be done. This is not about favorites. There wasn’t a conspiracy…the Shedeur stans out there, the sycophants…they’re so stupid and it’s so ridiculous. Give me a break. You guys cannot be… pic.twitter.com/bzZpgBsKec
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) May 6, 2026
As for the reaction to Sanders not starting, Schlereth bashed the quarterback’s “psycophant” supporters, who claim there’s a conspiracy against the youngster. Shedeur’s brother, Shilo, controversially insulted Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot for claiming that the team should commit to Watson as the starter.
“And Shilo, those comments are, you know, he needs to grow up a little bit, too,” Schlereth added. “This is not about favorites. This is not about self-annointing… You [Sanders] got drafted in the fifth round for a reason… There wasn’t a conspiracy [against Sanders]… The Shedeur stans out there, the sycophants, they’re so stupid, and it’s so ridiculous… You guys cannot be this stupid.”
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According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders posted an impact score of 56.9 last season, which ranked as the fourth-worst in the league. He failed to separate himself from the rest of the guys in Cleveland’s quarterback room last season, and he’ll have to start from the second row this upcoming campaign in a bid to top Watson.
How this situation plays out in the months leading up to the kickoff will be interesting to watch.
