Shedeur Sanders’ experience with the Cleveland Browns has been challenging since he was selected as the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Unlike the excitement surrounding fellow quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Browns seem to be hesitant to give Sanders substantial playing time.
Initially starting as the team’s third quarterback, Shedeur was elevated to the backup role following the departure of veteran Joe Flacco. However, he has yet to see game action this season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski recently confirmed that Sanders is not participating in first-team drills, limiting his chances even further.
During Week 8’s game against the New England Patriots, Shedeur was deemed inactive due to a reported back injury. Meanwhile, fans watched Dillon Gabriel struggle on the field, leading to speculation about the true nature of Sanders’ absence. Some theorized that he might have been benched deliberately to avoid putting him into a challenging situation.
Skip Bayless, a noted supporter of Sanders, took to social media during the Browns-Patriots matchup, suggesting it might be time for Sanders to showcase his talents with the Los Angeles Raiders, a franchise valued at an astonishing $7.7 billion. “Time for Shedeur in Brady’s old stomping grounds,” he tweeted, referencing the storied legacy of Tom Brady.
Time for Shedeur in Brady’s old stomping grounds.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 26, 2025
In another tweet, Bayless expressed his belief that Bailey Zappe, once drafted by Bill Belichick to succeed Tom Brady, could see a similar fate to that of Sanders. “[Kevin] Stefanski loves him and he will be elevated,” Bayless stated, adding that it may take intervention from ownership for Sanders to receive the opportunities he deserves.
Shannon Sharpe Critiques Kevin Stefanski’s Handling of Shedeur Sanders
As the Browns prepared for their Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stefanski was questioned about the possibility of naming Shedeur Sanders as the backup to Dillon Gabriel. His ambiguous response—“let the week play out”—left many fans and analysts perplexed.
Shannon Sharpe voiced strong opinions on the situation during a recent episode of the ‘Nightcap’ podcast. He criticized the Browns’ management of Sanders, arguing that allowing the situation to “play out” seemed absurd. Sharpe acknowledged that such an approach could make sense during a training camp competition, but felt it was illogical in the current context of the season.
As the drama unfolds around Shedeur Sanders, the spotlight continues to shine on his future with the Browns. With important games ahead and roster decisions looming, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the team navigates this complex situation.
