Shedeur Sanders’ NFL journey with the Cleveland Browns may be heading into stormy territory before it even truly begins.
Following ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller’s latest 2026 mock draft, veteran commentator Skip Bayless has raised serious concerns over whether Sanders will be given a genuine shot at succeeding in Cleveland.
Miller’s prediction sees the Browns finishing with the worst record in the NFL next season and using the No. 1 overall pick to select Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
While hypothetical, that projection has already triggered speculation about whether Sanders will be seen as part of the Browns’ long-term plans or simply as a placeholder on a team looking for a fresh start at quarterback.
“If Matt Miller is right, then I don’t know. I’d have to assume Shedeur would have to beat out Dillon Gabriel to be Klubnik’s backup as they go forward,” Bayless said on his show.
“Unless, of course, the Browns just say, ‘We’ve got to remove any young threat to Klubnik.’ And if they just kept Joe Flacco as mentor backup quarterback at age 41, I guess they could go that direction.”
Bayless continued by questioning Cleveland’s commitment to Sanders altogether, suggesting other franchises might have offered him a more promising path.
“The point is, this really shook me up to see a projection of the Browns taking their quarterback of the future next year when I thought Shedeur Sanders would be the Titans or the Giants or maybe the Saints quarterback of the future.”
A crowded quarterback room and limited margin for error
Sanders, selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, enters a highly competitive quarterback room. The Browns also picked Dillon Gabriel in the third round this year and already had Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, and veteran Joe Flacco on the roster.
It’s an unusually deep and varied group that offers limited clarity on the franchise’s vision for the future.
Sanders will need to impress in camp just to earn a spot on the game-day roster. If Miller’s prediction proves even partially accurate, he may soon be fighting for relevance on a team already plotting its next rebuild.
Bayless’s concern is that Cleveland could opt to wipe the slate clean entirely and focus solely on Klubnik if they do secure the first pick next year.
The 2025 college season will have plenty to say about Klubnik’s value, but for Sanders, the challenge is more immediate. His path to meaningful snaps in Cleveland appears to be blocked unless injuries or performance issues open the door.
Still, the 22-year-old comes with pedigree and production. In his final season at Colorado, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
That kind of resume suggests he’s more than just a late-round flier – but proving that at the professional level is a different game.
The pressure for Sanders
Despite being one of college football’s most talked-about quarterbacks over the past two seasons, Sanders fell in the draft amid concerns about his ability to adapt to the NFL’s speed and complexity.
Now, he finds himself on a team with more questions than answers and a front office that could be staring down the chance to draft a new franchise quarterback next spring.
Sanders still has time to change the narrative. He’s a competitor and has thrived under pressure before, but with Flacco serving as a trusted backup and Watson still under contract, the rookie may be left fighting for developmental reps rather than starting opportunities.
Bayless’s warning might seem premature, but in the NFL, perception can be as impactful as performance. If Cleveland is already thinking about its next quarterback, Sanders could be viewed as expendable before he gets a real chance to prove otherwise.
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