CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
May 10, 2026, 2:40 AM CUT
Super Bowl Winner Rips Into Shedeur Sanders’ Fans Over Outrageous Claims
The Cleveland Browns’ QB1 competition is at its peak, and it has caught the attention of a 3x Super Bowl Champion, Mark Schlereth.
On the Wednesday episode of the show 92.3 The Fan with anchors Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin, Schlereth called out Shedeur Sanders’ fans and gave his two cents on his pick for the QB1 battle.
“The Shedeur Stans out there, the sycophants…they’re so stupid, and it’s so ridiculous,” answered Schlereth about the claims Sanders’ fans have been making.
Supporters of Shedeur Sanders alleged a coordinated effort within the Browns and media to sabotage the young quarterback’s career. These theories claim that the team favors Deshaun Watson, regardless of performance, to justify Watson's massive contract.
Furthermore, fans argue that Sanders' fifth-round draft status resulted from institutional bias rather than scouting. They suggest the organization is intentionally suppressing his development, dismissing poor performance metrics as part of a "hateful" agenda designed to prevent him from starting.
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 walks off the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104199
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 walks off the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104199
Schlereth further commented on Sanders’ fans’ allegations about Kevin Stefanski, the former head coach of the Browns.
“There wasn’t a conspiracy, and Kevin Stefanski didn't say that oh, Shedeur’s in. Let’s give him the crappy plays quick…. A coach wants to be fired, so he’s gonna sabotage his young quarterback. Give me a break. You guys cannot be this stupid.”
With all the back and forth between the fans and Schlereth, who does the Super Bowl winner support as QB1?
Who Does Schlereth Think Will Win the Browns’ QB1 Battle
The three-time Super Bowl champion and NFL broadcasting veteran picked his side in the Browns’ QB1 battle.
“Based on the coaches I talked to, I did several Cleveland games last year. The coaches on the staff have no reason to lie to me. There was a lot of work to be done, and when you study him (Sanders), there was a lot of work left to do. So, it doesn’t surprise me that Watson’s ahead of the game.”
On his podcast, Schlereth shared that the current Browns’ roster could “make a little noise” in the AFC North even if they have above-average quarterback play from Watson.
With this, Schlereth delivered his verdict, believing Watson has the upper hand over Sanders. This would obviously be added to the theories that Sanders is getting pushed down.
Only time will tell whether that is true or not. What are your thoughts about it?
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Written by
Naomi Grace
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi