NFL Legend Drops Blunt Remarks on Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made the Pro Bowl as an alternate this year, but everyone knows that was based on his name rather than his performance.

After all, Sanders totaled seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while posting a 68.1 passer rating in eight appearances and seven starts, so it's not like he recorded impressive numbers during his rookie campaign.

As a result, new Browns head coach Todd Monken is unsure about Cleveland's quarterback situation heading into 2026 and has not committed to Sanders as the starter.

This seemed to irk legendary NFL running back Emmitt Smith, who made his feelings on Cleveland's circumstances clear during an appearance on the Up & Adams Show.

"I guess coaches want to make sure that guys know that there is no security in their position, and they want them to ... compete for their job," Smith said. "... What does Cleveland have? Absolutely nothing. So, what’s the debate?"

Well, yeah: the Browns have nothing else right now, but they own a pair of first-round picks and can always draft a signal-caller this April.

It should not come as a shock to anyone that Sanders is not going to be handed the starting job next fall. He wasn't good enough to lock in his place as a starter going forward. It's that simple. He was also a fifth-round pick.

Now, to be fair to Sanders, it's not like he had a whole lot of help in 2025. Cleveland's offensive line was a disaster, and its receiving corps left a whole lot to be desired. Especially given Jerry Jeudy's struggles after making the Pro Bowl the season prior.

But regardless, Sanders did not play well enough to guarantee himself anything heading into 2026.

It will be interesting to see how the Browns approach things this offseason. Will they try to draft a quarterback? Will they trade for one? Could someone like Mac Jones or even Kyler Murray represent an option for them?

We actually cannot even completely discount the possibility that Deshaun Watson — who carries an $80.7 million cap hit next season — ultimately ends up under center for Cleveland next fall (although it's definitely unlikely).

We'll see what happens, but the overarching point is that Smith should not be surprised that Monken is not fully prepared to commit to Sanders just yet.

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