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Skip Bayless Makes Wild Speculation About Shedeur Sanders Possibly Leaving Browns

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ishan Misra | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 10:31 AM ET

Skip Bayless has always been a vocal supporter of Shedeur Sanders and a good friend of his father, Deion Sanders. However, the Hall of Famer won’t be pleased to hear Bayless’ latest comments about his son’s future with the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round despite the presence of three quarterbacks—Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett—and drafting another rookie, Dillon Gabriel, in the third round. It was clear from day one that Sanders had to fight tooth and nail for the starting quarterback job.

Even though the consensus wants the Colorado graduate to lead the Browns, rookies rarely get the nod in a loaded quarterback room. Even 3x Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes had to sit out his first year in KC.

However, Sanders could be in a different direction, and it’s one that his father won’t like. ESPN’s Matt Miller released his mock draft for next year. Miller believes the Browns will target another quarterback again next year.

Bayless worries that if Miller’s predictions materialize, Sanders’ tenure in Cleveland could be short-lived.

I’d have to assume Shedeur would have to beat out Dillon Gabriel to be Klubnik’s backup as they go forward. Unless, of course, the Browns just say [to Shedeur], “We’ve got to remove any young threat to Klubnik.” And if they just kept Joe Flacco as a mentor backup [quarterback at age 41], I guess they could go that direction.
Skip Bayless said on his YouTube channel

What a mountain Shedeur Sanders is now going to have to climb

Link in bio. pic.twitter.com/HN284vxkp8
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 5, 2025

Sanders signed a four-year deal with the Browns worth $4.6 million, including a signing bonus of $447,380. It’s far lower than his NIL valuation in college and his ex-Colorado teammate and Jaguars star rookie Travis Hunter’s four-year $46,649,126 contract, which included a signing bonus of $30,566,636.

What did Matt Miller say about Shedeur Sanders’ future in Cleveland?

Miller predicted that the Browns may target Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik . The 21-year-old made headlines in 2024. He led the Tigers to a 10-4 finish that included a gutsy performance against the Texas Longhorns in the postseason.

Klubnik finished the year with 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, along with 463 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.

Spending two picks on quarterbacks in 2025… shouldn’t prevent the Browns from looking for a long-term passer here. Klubnik enters the season as my No. 1 QB [and] reminds me of Baker Mayfield.
Matt Miller wrote in his report

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik working out with former Ohio State and current Texans QB CJ Stroud in Las Vegas today, per his Instagram. A few other NFL guys also on site, including Justin Fields and Maxx Crosby pic.twitter.com/qZJKyXpTsH
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) July 4, 2025

If Miller is correct, then Klubnik’s ceiling is very high, and he will most likely enter the 2026 draft as the number one quarterback because Texas’s Arch Manning is planning to enter the year after.

I think Arch Manning has the potential to be an elite college QB.

But we really need to pump the brakes on all this “best in a generation” conversation before the guy has even started a game vs top tier competition.
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) July 1, 2025

This leaves Shedeur Sanders in a bind. Although head coach Kevin Stefanski will pick the starting quarterback after the training camp, Joe Flacco has created a gap between himself and the rest of the gang. Flacco has the experience, and he is familiar with Stefanski’s system due to his stint in 2023.

Sanders should focus only on proving that he can perform at the pro level. Watson reportedly has taken the rookies under his wing and is teaching them the ins and outs of the NFL.

As for Watson, the Pro Bowler tore his Achilles in January and will most likely miss out on the upcoming season despite murmurs of an early December return. His trade three years ago turned out to be a historic mistake for the Browns. Fortunately, Watson’s contract ends in 2026.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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