Skip Bayless' target, Shedeur Sanders, is staying in Cleveland for the upcoming season and will aim for the starting quarterback job.
Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel are the quarterbacks for General Manager Andrew Berry, who manages the Cleveland Browns. On Saturday, during a segment on “The Arena,” Bayless made the case that Sanders was weak on the argument, "[the] confidence level."
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
Berry and head coach Todd Monken went to the NFL Combine and spoke to reporters on Feb 24. They discussed the roster, which had a special focus on Sanders after he started seven games last year.
Suddenly, Bayless spotted a blunder in the announcement, which mentioned the position as an open competition. There was no mention of the Pro Bowler as the definitive starter.
Upon noticing this, Bayless said:
“My confidence level on Shedeur starting on opening Sunday is at a two right now. Because of the things you just heard.”
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Skip Bayless requested to hear Shedeur Sanders’ name
Later in the segment, Bayless was seen reacting to the news and gently asking why the team wouldn't designate Sanders as the leader despite his experience.
"So what did I see last year? Shedeur got to start seven games... I'm grateful he got to put something on tape."
"He did this remember behind the offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranked all year long dead last in the NFL... So obviously I wanted to hear from Monken and the GM Berry at the combine that this will be Shedeur's job to lose."
Sanders' last season stats include: 1,400 yards topped with 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a QBR of 18.9.
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
Fans of the 2025 season might remember the Browns from their difficult run. The team, which finished 5-12 overall and 2-4 in the AFC North, split opinions after a tumultuous season that included a heated debate over the quarterback position and disagreements over the future franchise leader.
During the discussions, Cody Kessler, former Browns quarterback, accused Sanders of making "bad decisions with the football" and alleged he needs to improve on the mental side.
“I won't say all the interceptions were his fault,” said Kessler. “There were some times where he was hit, the ball was tipped, but he too many times made bad decisions with the football. But I understand where he's coming from because there wasn't a lot of help around him.”
The team shares three options: Sanders, Watson, and Gabriel.
The front office ruled in favor of a competitive atmosphere after Aqib Talib argued that "somebody got to go first," allegations that Super Bowl champion TJ Ward argued were necessary to change the culture of a losing team.
"Unless Shedeur comes out here and mess something up or [Deshaun] Watson does something to fold to both of them. But, at the end of the day, you got to keep a competitive atmosphere, especially with a losing team. We've been losing forever. We're trying to change the culture. The last thing we want to do," said former NFL safety Ward.
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