Seemingly every year, it seems like the Cleveland Browns have question marks surrounding the quarterback position. Last year, with Deshaun Watson declared out for the season, they went through a myriad of options, with three starters getting extended runs.
By the end of the regular season, though, it seemed clear that Shedeur Sanders would be getting a chance, at least in the short term. But now, as he faces competition from a healthy three-time Pro Bowler, one commentator isn’t on board with the decision-making process.
Shedeur Sanders Has to Prove Himself Again
Last season, the Browns gave chances to Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel before Sanders finally got the nod. Throughout the summer, he also faced competition from players like Kenny Pickett.
Ultimately, though, he started the final seven games of the year for Cleveland, putting up 1,400 passing yards, eight total touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. However, with a weak quarterback class in 2026, he seemed like the best choice for the Browns, at least for this season.
But new head coach Todd Monken hasn’t given him the official approval. Instead, it’s been a competition between the second-year star and Watson, who is returning from his injury. With the Browns leaning towards the former Houston Texans quarterback, the choice isn’t particularly popular in NFL circles.
Veteran analyst Skip Bayless, who’s been a huge proponent for Sanders throughout his career, had some choice words for the organization during his latest appearance on “The Arena: Gridiron.”Â
He began his rant with high praise for the team. “Cleveland has had back-to-back A+ Drafts, and Cleveland did a lot of good things in free agency to completely tear down and rebuild the offensive line.”
However, that’s where his issues began. “Because of that, I want Shedeur. He earned the right to benefit from this growth, like he’s part and parcel of the growth.” Moreover, he believed the players on the roster were inclined toward the Colorado Buffaloes alum as well.
“If they did a silent vote in the locker room, they’d vote for Shedeur. I’m sure. It’s the energy in the building, it’s the growth.” That is where he raised his issue with the choice to move forward with Watson.
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“They could make some noise with Shedeur. It’s just wasting time, it’s wasting him.” In his rookie season, Sanders was far from the perfect prospect. He finished as the third-worst quarterback in the league according to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, ahead of only Gabriel and Brady Cook.
As a result, the Browns cannot be sure that he is their answer at the quarterback spot moving forward. But given the production from Watson in his stint in Cleveland, it seems impossible that he’d give them a better long-term outlook, particularly at 30.
