Former FOX Sports 1 analyst Skip Bayless is coming to the defense of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In a now-viral video, Bayless called out Browns head coach Todd Monken for taking “shots” at Sanders. To the 74-year-old, enough is enough.
Skip Bayless Addresses Todd Monken’s Stance on Shedeur Sanders
On Monday, Bayless posted a video to his X account sharing his thoughts on the future of the Browns team. Towards the end of the clip, Skip calls out Cleveland head coach Monken for taking a perceived shot at Sanders while praising quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Bayless noted that Monken said he was “fired up about” Gabriel and deduced that the coach’s statement was a swipe at Sanders. The former ESPN First Take host added that he watched Gabriel last season and was not impressed by his performance.
“Shedeur is stuck on a franchise that now I believe ranks him their 4th best quarterback in their building,” – Skip Bayless on Shedeur Sanders and the Browns QB room.
(via @RealSkipBayless) pic.twitter.com/nxQdC6hWMd
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 1, 2026
In the video, Bayless went on to say that once Sanders was given the opportunity to shine, he performed better than Gabriel. He added that the 24-year-old “plays to win” and claimed that Sanders is “more accurate” than Gabriel.
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Bayless concluded that Shedeur possesses an “it factor” that the 25-year-old Gabriel “never” had during his time at the University of Central Florida, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Oregon. He concluded that Gabriel simply “does not have what Shedeur has.”
Browns’ Quarterback Competition is Tough
Bayless’s rant comes as Monken named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback.
The Browns head coach noted that the competition for the starting position was stiff between Watson and Sanders. While Sanders seemingly had an early edge on Watson, who was returning from an Achilles injury, it was ultimately the veteran quarterback who was given the starting role.
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Watson, who signed a five-year, $230 million deal with Cleveland, is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, leaving the Browns with possibly another quarterback decision next season.
Sanders, who would still have two years left on his four-year, $4.6 million contract, would potentially be the front-runner for the starting position with Cleveland.
The Texas native finished last season with a 3–4 record in seven starts, a 56.6% completion percentage, 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and one rushing touchdown.
