Shedeur Sanders Impresses Browns, Bayless Criticizes NFL Draft Bias

Shedeur Sanders, who fell unexpectedly to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, made an impressive debut starting for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns without turnovers. His performance has sparked strong reactions, notably from conservative sports commentator Skip Bayless, who accused NFL teams of being 'petty fools' and 'racist fools' for passing on Sanders despite his evident talent. Bayless highlighted that Sanders shamed all 143 teams that had the opportunity to draft him earlier, including the Browns who eventually picked him. Sanders, motivated by supporters who feel voiceless, has been praised not only by Bayless but also by celebrities like LeBron James and Jamie Foxx. Despite being a fourth-string quarterback entering the preseason, Sanders demonstrated versatility and poise under pressure, navigating limited practice reps and negative narratives to showcase his skills effectively. This debut has reignited debate about his draft slide and his future prospects in the NFL quarterback competition.