One well-known QB coach had a response after Stephen A. Smith's comments on Browns QB Shedeur Sanders ahead of the preseason game.
Stephen A. Smith’s Shedeur Sanders Take Prompts Strong Response From QB Guru originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation has taken over plenty of headlines during the NFL preseason and rightfully so.
The Browns are officially starting Shedeur Sanders in the first preseason game Friday night, although the QB battle is between all of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Tyler Huntley and Sanders.
Sanders was listed No. 4 on the Browns' first official depth chart, although injuries to both Pickett and Gabriel forced Cleveland to sign Huntley and turn Sanders into the starter for the first preseason contest on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
Still, it has created quite the discussion, and Stephen A. Smith's latest take on the drama sparked a response from a well-known QB guru.
QB Coach Rips Stephen A. Smith After Latest Shedeur Sanders Insistence
On Thursday, during an episode of "First Take," Smith said he thinks Sanders is "set up to fail."
"I think he [Shedeur Sanders] is being set up to fail," Smith stated. "There have been 11 practices, if I remember correctly. He's been playing against the third unit. He's fourth on the depth chart and then suddenly you throw him into the starting lineup, and he hasn't had any reps with the first team at all. So you just going to throw him to the wolves like that?"
After Smith's comments surfaced, Quincy Avery, a famous QB coach who has worked with players such as Deshaun Watson and Jordan Love, took to X with a response.
"Oh no, not a chance to actually play football as a 4th string QB and 5th round pick. What a nightmare. Can’t believe some folks are already lining up the excuses. Unreal," Avery wrote.
"I think [Shedeur Sanders] is being set up to fail."
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 7, 2025
—@stephenasmithpic.twitter.com/gU32q1s2Cw
Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a surprising fall, and the Browns selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round and acquired Kenny Pickett in the offseason, so the selection was always a bit puzzling.
But, as Avery mentioned, Sanders gets a legitimate chance to play in the preseason despite being a low pick and being fourth on the depth chart, so it sure seems like the Browns are really trying to see what they have with the former Colorado Buffaloes star.
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson also insisted the Browns were "trying to break" Sanders by having him that low, so it's been a common topic of discussion recently.
Browns' Plan Amid Muddled QB Room
After the Browns signed Huntley, things got even more confusing with five players suddenly in the room, although it seemed to be more of an insurance plan with the others dealing with injuries.
As for the preseason game, ESPN reporter Daniel Oyefusi said Sanders would get "about 50 plays" before Huntley takes over, which makes sense because Pickett and Gabriel are injured and Flacco is a veteran in the league.
For now, it looks like the Browns are giving Sanders a chance despite the depth chart and despite comments from people such as Stephen A. and Chad Johnson.
Related: Accusations Fly as Bengals Legend Blasts Browns for Shedeur Sanders Depth Chart Spot
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
