Shedeur Sanders stepped in to play when the Cleveland Browns had already lost five of their previous six games. After a limited time against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, Sanders went on to gain 1,400 yards and score seven touchdowns in the 2025 season. 

That's why ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't understand the hate against Sanders.

“I really don't understand what's going on with Shedeur. I don't understand why people want to keep hating and hating,” Kiper told hosts Tony Rizzo and Chris Oldach on ESPN's 850 AM.

He then defended Sanders’ rookie season performance. Sanders improved his completion rate from 25% to 73.9%, with 10 interceptions being the glaring defect.  

“They won't give this kid...any credit for anything he did. They bring up QBR. It doesn't mean anything to me,” Kiper added.

Sanders finished his first season with a quarterback rating (QBR) of 18.9. Dillon Gabriel, drafted by the Browns in the third round last year, had a QBR of 31.4 in six starts.

To put that into perspective, Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans had a QBR of 33.2. Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints finished with 48.8. But Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants gained a 57.5 QBR.

According to a January report by The Sporting News, Sanders’ QBR is “the fifth-worst mark among 696 quarterbacks who have attempted at least 200 passes since QBR became a stat in 2006.”

But Kiper has dismissed it. 

Sanders gained 1,400 passing yards while Gabriel managed 937 yards, and Joe Flacco just 815 before he was traded. 

The Browns’ QB roster has grown more confusing with Deshaun Watson’s impending return and 2026 pick Taylen Green’s addition. Columnist Skip Bayless even called Green’s presence a “small sign of disrespect” to Sanders. 

And as per the latest report, Sanders might have to take a back seat in his second season as well.

Deshaun Watson Reportedly To Become QB1 In 2026

In her report published on April 29, Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot wrote that Watson outperformed Sanders, possibly changing the franchise’s outlook for the season.

“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns’ voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1,” Cabot wrote about April’s minicamp turnout. 

Watson, who has been cleared from his Achilles injuries to play, has been training for a comeback in 2026. He hasn't played since October 2024, and this season he's on his last season on his $230 million contract with the Browns.

The views have been divided in Cleveland over Shedeur Sanders' performance last season, what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Cleveland Browns Community.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore