Monday, the Cleveland Browns announced that veteran Deshaun Watson would be their starting quarterback for the season, sparking widespread outrage across the sports world. Watson has received heavy criticism not only for his preseason play but also for his recent attitude toward Browns fans.
After being booed during a preseason game against the Bills, Watson responded emotionally in a press conference.
Former ESPN analyst Skip Bayless posted a lengthy response on social media about the Browns’ decision-making, faulting them for neglecting backup Shedeur Sanders.
PLEASE TRADE SHEDEUR TO THE FALCONS! pic.twitter.com/VBkYbktick
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 24, 2026
“I almost burned this jersey this morning when I first heard the news, not that the news surprised me but the Cleveland Browns don’t deserve Shedeur Sanders,” Bayless said.
“This sorry a** franchise does not deserve to have Shedeur Sanders on its roster anymore. I wish there were some way that Jimmy Haslam and Todd Monken would decide, as we near the season, to get rid of Shedeur, to set him free to trade him elsewhere…I’d love to see Shedeur in Atlanta. Uh, do I think Shedeur Sanders this coming football season could win more games than Penix or Tua could win? You better believe that I do.”
Bayless compared the situation in Cleveland to how Shedeur would be received in Atlanta.
“Could you imagine Shedeur Sanders in Atlanta, GA? Could you imagine how that city would go crazy for this guy wearing their jersey? And by the way, this jersey was the fifth highest-selling jersey in the National Football League last year, after Saquon, Jalen Hurts, Jaden Daniels, and Josh Allen, who was fourth. Shedeur is, obviously, the most popular backup quarterback in the National Football League,” Bayless said.
Bayless continued to make a case for Sanders as he felt the two-year star is being misused by the Browns organization. It isn’t clear if Watson will start every game this season, but Sanders will definitely see field time down the line.
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