TL;DR
- Sports analyst Skip Bayless calls Shedeur Sanders the greatest thing for the Cleveland Browns.
- Bayless believes Sanders should have been the Browns' primary quarterback from the start.
- Sanders' NFL debut win provides Cleveland with much-needed quarterback stability and excitement.
- The rookie's performance creates a complex but positive quarterback situation for the Browns.
Renowned sports analyst Skip Bayless continues to plant his flag on Shedeur Sanders’ future. After the Cleveland Browns rookie delivered a 24-10 win in his NFL debut, Bayless called Sanders “the greatest thing that’s ever happened to the Cleveland Browns,” an explosive endorsement that instantly elevated the fifth-round pick’s growing profile.
Bayless Presents Sanders as the Solution Cleveland Has Long Sought
Bayless' remarks were made while he was a guest on The Aren Gridiron podcast, where he contended that Sanders ought to have been the Browns' primary quarterback from his arrival. Rather than gradually introducing the topic, Bayless cited Sanders' first game as evidence that Cleveland has at last achieved lasting quarterback stability following a period of unreliability.
“I don’t think Kevin Stefanski committed,” Bayless said, before shifting the focus to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. “I think Jimmy Haslam called Stefanski and said ‘I’m sorry, no.’ Jimmy Haslam knows they are back in business. They have found their guy.”
Bayless highlighted the dense quarterback situation, which previously featured five signal-callers, including Bailey Zappe who has since departed the team. He argued that the rookie should have begun the season as the starting quarterback, citing the potential boost of energy he could bring to an already skilled roster.
“The defense we know is very good. Myles Garrett is simply the best,” Bayless said. “With Quinshon Judkins they’re gonna have some juice in the run game they haven’t had. You got all that cooking… They have stumbled into the greatest thing that’s ever happened to the Cleveland Browns.”
Bayless has consistently championed Sanders since the quarterback's unexpected slide on draft night, frequently asserting that the Browns possessed a talented player whose value was underestimated and who merely required a chance to demonstrate his capabilities.
Stefanski Faces Significant Pressure Following Sanders' Victory
Sanders' initial outing wasn't flawless. His precision faltered occasionally, and he fumbled early on, yet he performed cleanly in the latter half, sidestepped critical errors, and concluded the game with a seldom-seen achievement. He's the inaugural quarterback to secure a victory in his first start for The Browns since 1999, providing Cleveland with an uplift the team has infrequently experienced in its recent history.
This victory also creates a more complex situation for The Browns' quarterback choices ahead. Dillon Gabriel, who previously secured a win this season, was sidelined due to a concussion in Week 12 but continues to be a favored option among the coaching staff. Upon his medical clearance, he will re-enter the quarterback conversation.
However, Sanders now possesses concrete achievements, forward movement, and prominent national figures advocating for him. Cleveland also achieved its sixth victory since December 2023, a fact that will inherently bolster the rationale for granting the rookie additional time.
The Browns are experiencing a quarterback discussion for the first time in months that seems like a good issue to have, and Sanders' addition guarantees it won't fade away shortly.