A fiery debate on 92.3 The Fan has ignited a quarterback controversy for the Cleveland Browns, but it’s not what anyone expected. While fans look to the future with rookie Dillon Gabriel and rookie Shedeur Sanders, one analyst threw a completely different name into the mix.
Instead of debating who should be QB2, Anthony Lima argued that Sanders isn’t even the third-best option on the roster, suggesting a shocking alternative to both Sanders and the struggling Deshaun Watson.
Why Does One Analyst See Bailey Zappe Over Shedeur Sanders?
The state of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room has been a hot topic all season, especially concerning the placement of Gabriel and Sanders. The team is looking for answers after veteran QB Joe Flacco’s horrendous performance, which landed him an F grade in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric. Flacco ranks 35th among qualified quarterbacks, a dismal spot considering there are only 32 teams in the league.
Moving forward, the Browns hope to secure some wins with Gabriel, the rookie who nearly led them to victory in his first NFL start against the Minnesota Vikings in London. The Oregon graduate finished 19-for-33 for 190 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
However, if Gabriel falters, the debate over the next man up intensifies. Fellow 92.3 host Ken Carman argued for Sanders to start after the team’s Week 9 bye against the New York Jets. In response, Lima made a case for a quarterback ESPN doesn’t even list on the Browns’ depth chart.
🏈 @KenCarman: “November 9th against the Jets they will roll out Shedeur”@SportsBoyTony: “I think Bailey Zappe sees the field before Shedeur. They don’t trust him to do anything.”
Oh boy😳 pic.twitter.com/R2PzqrnXNh
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 6, 2025
“Last week I said Bailey Zappe sees the field before Shedeur Sanders. I don’t think they trust Shedeur Sanders at all to do anything,” Lima said. “That’s why they’re giving him all these extended snap counts at the end of practice like a Make-A-Wish situation. Hey, do you want to pretend to be a Cleveland Browns quarterback for about 20 minutes after practice? It’s probably about five minutes. Then they go to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero and say ‘see look, we’re trying! We’re trying to bridge the gap.'”
Lima continued, doubling down on his stance that the coaching staff has no faith in the rookie quarterback. “They don’t even think he [Sanders] can play quarterback in the NFL this year. Bailey Zappe has been doing more scout work than Shedeur, he’s getting those reps. They know what’s going to happen when Shedeur gets in. It’s going to be Shedeur running backwards for 30 yards fumbling the ball and humiliating the Browns. I saw it in the preseason game, why wouldn’t I see it in the regular season game?”
Despite Carman’s complete disagreement, Lima stood his ground, believing Zappe would see the field before Sanders. This claim directly contradicts Rapoport’s comments ahead of Week 5, which suggested Sanders could see playing time in the next month or so. Those reports led Carman to target the Nov. 9 game, but Lima isn’t buying it.