Fans have reacted to analyst Stephen A. Smith speculating conspiracy in the way the Cleveland Browns are treating Shedeur Sanders. The ESPN commentator believes the Browns want their rookie quarterback to fail. Over the last few weeks of their preseason training camp, the franchise has considered Coach Prime’s son their QB4, and he has not seen any action with the first-team offense.
However, Sanders was named the starter for Cleveland’s first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Smith believes something is fishy in all of this. On Thursday’s episode of “First Take,” he said:
“I think he’s being set up to fail. There’s been 11 practices, if I remember correctly. He’s been playing starting, playing against the third unit. He’s fourth in the depth chart. And then suddenly you throw him into the starting lineup? He hasn’t had any reps with the first team at all. Think about that. So you’re just going to throw him to the wolves like that? It’s like you want him to fail.”
“I think [Shedeur Sanders] is being set up to fail.”
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/gU32q1s2Cw
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 7, 2025
Smith said he doesn’t think the coaches or the general manager wish Shedeur Sanders to fail, but added that he isn’t sure about Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam. Fans were quick to react to Smith’s take.
“This is a crazy take 😂 what round pick was he?” wrote one fan.
“He’s definitely not being set up to fail. Shut up,” said someone else.
“Your daily reminder – ‘always the victim,'” pointed out another fan.
“Yeah that happens when hes the 2nd qb picked from that team and bottom of the depth chart. its almost like he has to earn his spot,” said one fan.
Some fans did rally behind Shedeur Sanders.
“Shedeur been ready for moments like this, he just waiting on his number to be called. He’ll be just fine,” said one fan.
“I’m happy somebody has the guts to say it,” said another.
Why is Shedeur Sanders starting ahead of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel?
A more impartial viewer might point out to Stephen A. Smith that it’s only a preseason game and that Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are dealing with hamstring injuries.
Joe Flacco is a fragile veteran who is likely to be the team’s starter in the regular season, and any coaching staff would want to preserve him. That leaves them with fourth-string quarterback Shedeur Sanders. If anything, this is an opportunity for the rookie to show his worth and that he can fight for the backup role with the Browns.
The game is set for 7 pm ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers are six-point favorites, according to ESPN Bet.
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