While many football fans are eager to see Shedeur Sanders make his NFL debut as the Cleveland Browns ’ starting quarterback, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes that dream might have to wait. But according to Smith, Sanders not starting Week 1 has less to do with ability and more to do with the psychological gauntlet NFL rookies often face — especially one with his spotlight.
Stephen A. Smith reveals brutal truth about Shedeur Sanders’ chances of starting for the Browns
During Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith unpacked the Browns’ quarterback room and the situation that awaits the rookie out of Colorado. With veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett already on the roster — alongside third-round pick Dillon Gabriel — the Browns’ depth chart is undeniably crowded. Yet Smith isn’t concerned about Sanders' performance being the issue.
“I think that you had people looking to give him a reality check,” Smith said. “And now I think what you're going to do is see people wanting to test his emotional and mental resolve as it pertains to that.”
Smith painted a picture of a young quarterback eager to embrace the grind, sharing that Sanders was “en route to Cleveland… in a pickup truck, ready to… grab his hardhat and get to work.” That image alone captures a sense of humility and grit — traits that have been debated regarding Sanders due to his high-profile college career and his father, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Despite the admirable mindset, the Browns may be hesitant to thrust him into the limelight too soon. Instead, Smith suggests, they might opt to lean on familiarity and experience — not necessarily merit.
“You're hearing people out of Cleveland talk about how Dillon Gabriel was their preferred quarterback. Big Ten player of the year… You look at Flacco, he's a fan favorite. They loved him in Cleveland… And then you're looking at Kenny Pickett… in his last 17 starts his record is like 13–4.”
There’s no denying the pedigree in that locker room. Flacco's resurgence during a critical time for the Browns cemented his legacy as more than a stopgap. Kenny Pickett, though inconsistent at times, carries the credibility of a winning record and a Super Bowl ring (albeit as a backup). And Gabriel’s recent accolades in college haven’t gone unnoticed either.
So where does that leave Sanders? Stephen A. sees the long-term vision — and it’s a promising one.
“I think they look at Shedeur as a longterm solution. I'm not saying he's going to sit out the year or anything like that… but I don't think he's a guy that's going to be judged by just his play.”
Smith argues that the Browns might be more focused on assessing the intangibles — leadership, humility, maturity — before handing over the reins. And unfortunately, that means the team could use Week 1 as an early litmus test of Sanders’ resilience rather than his football IQ.
“I think they're going to want to see whether or not that ego that people were talking about is something that they're going to have to concern themselves with. And unfortunately, I think they're going to test him… Not because he won't deserve it.”
Ultimately, the wait may be short-lived. Sanders’ opportunity could arrive sooner than later if he passes those internal tests. For now, though, fans might have to be patient — because Shedeur Sanders’ road to QB1 in Cleveland may start on the bench, but it likely won’t stay that way for long.
Also Read: Deion Sanders once trashed off the Browns—Now they picked his son Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft
Stephen A. Smith reveals brutal truth about Shedeur Sanders’ chances of starting for the Browns
During Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith unpacked the Browns’ quarterback room and the situation that awaits the rookie out of Colorado. With veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett already on the roster — alongside third-round pick Dillon Gabriel — the Browns’ depth chart is undeniably crowded. Yet Smith isn’t concerned about Sanders' performance being the issue.
“I think that you had people looking to give him a reality check,” Smith said. “And now I think what you're going to do is see people wanting to test his emotional and mental resolve as it pertains to that.”
Smith painted a picture of a young quarterback eager to embrace the grind, sharing that Sanders was “en route to Cleveland… in a pickup truck, ready to… grab his hardhat and get to work.” That image alone captures a sense of humility and grit — traits that have been debated regarding Sanders due to his high-profile college career and his father, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
.@stephenasmith says Shedeur Sanders won't start Week 1 for the Browns because they're going to "test him." 👀
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 29, 2025
"I don't think [Shedeur's] a guy that's going to be judged by just his play." 😳 pic.twitter.com/ItAGKQM0hJ
Despite the admirable mindset, the Browns may be hesitant to thrust him into the limelight too soon. Instead, Smith suggests, they might opt to lean on familiarity and experience — not necessarily merit.
“You're hearing people out of Cleveland talk about how Dillon Gabriel was their preferred quarterback. Big Ten player of the year… You look at Flacco, he's a fan favorite. They loved him in Cleveland… And then you're looking at Kenny Pickett… in his last 17 starts his record is like 13–4.”
There’s no denying the pedigree in that locker room. Flacco's resurgence during a critical time for the Browns cemented his legacy as more than a stopgap. Kenny Pickett, though inconsistent at times, carries the credibility of a winning record and a Super Bowl ring (albeit as a backup). And Gabriel’s recent accolades in college haven’t gone unnoticed either.
So where does that leave Sanders? Stephen A. sees the long-term vision — and it’s a promising one.
“I think they look at Shedeur as a longterm solution. I'm not saying he's going to sit out the year or anything like that… but I don't think he's a guy that's going to be judged by just his play.”
Smith argues that the Browns might be more focused on assessing the intangibles — leadership, humility, maturity — before handing over the reins. And unfortunately, that means the team could use Week 1 as an early litmus test of Sanders’ resilience rather than his football IQ.
“I think they're going to want to see whether or not that ego that people were talking about is something that they're going to have to concern themselves with. And unfortunately, I think they're going to test him… Not because he won't deserve it.”
Ultimately, the wait may be short-lived. Sanders’ opportunity could arrive sooner than later if he passes those internal tests. For now, though, fans might have to be patient — because Shedeur Sanders’ road to QB1 in Cleveland may start on the bench, but it likely won’t stay that way for long.
Also Read: Deion Sanders once trashed off the Browns—Now they picked his son Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft
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