“Stephen A. Smith DEMANDS Shedeur Sanders Take Over as Browns’ QB: Why Flacco Is the Past and Sanders Is the Future”

Cleveland Browns fans woke up this week to the harshest reality of the NFL: you cannot win games in 2025 by leaning on a 39-year-old quarterback who looks more like a history lesson than a game-changer. And nobody put it more bluntly than ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who unleashed one of his signature rants on national television, targeting Joe Flacco’s role as the Browns’ starting quarterback and demanding that rookie Shedeur Sanders take over immediately.

“ENOUGH of Grandpa Flacco!” Stephen A. shouted. “The man moves like he’s got AOL dial-up in his cleats. You drafted Shedeur Sanders for a reason. Play him. Stop insulting Cleveland fans with this nonsense!”

The words may be dramatic, but the frustration is real. Cleveland’s 24–13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t just another defeat; it was a painful reminder that this team is wasting time, momentum, and most importantly—its future.

The Flacco Problem: Stuck in the Past

Let’s make something clear: Joe Flacco wasn’t horrible. He was exactly what everyone expected—slow release, missed timing, zero chemistry, and a stagnant offense that looked like it was running on oatmeal. He’s a Super Bowl champion, yes, but that was over a decade ago. Flacco in 2025 is like trying to win a Formula 1 race in a minivan.

In the AFC North—a brutal, fast-paced division with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and even Kenny Pickett hustling—Cleveland cannot afford to keep dragging out a quarterback who throws checkdowns on third-and-13 like it’s still 2012. The bar is not “safe.” The bar is competitive. And right now, Flacco is giving the Browns neither.

The Shedeur Sanders Factor: Why Wait?

The maddening part of this situation isn’t just that Flacco is underwhelming—it’s that Shedeur Sanders is ready. The rookie quarterback out of Colorado has been praised internally by coaches, trainers, and teammates alike. Early to meetings, late out of practice, fully dialed into the playbook, calm under pressure—Shedeur checks every single box.

He’s not just talented; he’s marketable. Cleveland sold jerseys, ran campaigns, and hyped Sanders all offseason. And yet, here we are in Week 3 of the season, and he’s still wearing sweats on the sideline while the Browns’ offense collapses.

This isn’t strategy. This isn’t patience. This is fear.

Fear vs. Fire

The Browns claim they’re “protecting” Shedeur from being thrown into the fire too soon. But look around the league. C.J. Stroud was tossed into Houston’s offense as a rookie, and he’s thriving. Anthony Richardson is electrifying in Indianapolis. Even Bryce Young, who started shaky, is stabilizing.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is paralyzed—scared of ruining Sanders’ confidence, scared of headlines, scared of the unknown. But this is football, not a hedge fund. You don’t hoard talent like it’s gold in a vault. You use it.

And let’s be brutally honest: even if Sanders struggles early, his presence alone would spark energy. Fans would rally. The locker room would loosen. The defense would dig in knowing the franchise is finally moving forward.

Wasting Momentum

The Browns’ defense has been solid. The running game flashes brilliance. The receivers aren’t dropping everything. This roster isn’t broken—it’s capable. But every week spent with Flacco under center is a week of wasted momentum.

Sanders doesn’t need to be perfect. He just needs to be better than Flacco. And given how low that bar is, the decision shouldn’t even be controversial.

The Fan Factor

Cleveland fans are some of the most loyal in the NFL, but loyalty has limits. After decades of quarterback misfires, recycled veterans, and “safe” moves that led nowhere, the city is begging for boldness. Sanders represents hope, energy, and a future that isn’t built on nostalgia.

The Browns cannot afford to keep dragging fans through another season of excuses, clichés, and “maybe next week” press conferences. If they keep Sanders benched much longer, the crowd at FirstEnergy Stadium won’t just be booing Flacco—they’ll be booing management.

The Clock Is Ticking

The AFC North won’t wait. The Ravens look dominant. The Bengals—even off-rhythm—still beat Cleveland comfortably. The Steelers are always scrappy. Every week wasted is a week closer to mathematical elimination from the playoffs.

What happens if the Browns finish 8–9 with Shedeur still holding a clipboard? Next year, he’s no longer the mysterious rookie with untapped potential. He’s the guy the team didn’t trust when it mattered. That label sticks. And it hurts careers.

The Bottom Line: Fear Is the Real Opponent

This isn’t about Joe Flacco. This isn’t even about Shedeur Sanders. This is about the Browns’ lack of courage. Safe never wins in the NFL. Bold does. And right now, Cleveland has a chance to flip the switch, ignite the team, and give fans a reason to believe again.

Stephen A. said it, and he’s right: the Browns don’t have a quarterback problem—they have a courage problem.

Bench Flacco. Start Sanders. Do it now, or risk losing more than games. Risk losing your future.