“MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!” — Shannon Sharpe BLASTS Browns for Benching Shedeur Sanders: “He Can Sell Out Stadiums, But Can’t Start in Cleveland?” 🔥🏈
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback decision has ignited a firestorm — and Shannon Sharpe just threw gasoline on it.
Following Cleveland’s announcement to start Dillon Gabriel over rookie phenom Shedeur Sanders
“You mean to tell me Shedeur Sanders can sell out stadiums, break records at Colorado, and he can’t start for the Cleveland Browns? Make it make sense!” Sharpe said, his voice rising in frustration.
Sharpe’s comments have reignited the national debate surrounding the Browns’ direction under head coach Kevin Stefanski. After a shaky 3-5 start and inconsistency at the quarterback position, many fans expected the team to hand the reins to Sanders — the dynamic rookie who captivated college football just months ago.
Instead, Cleveland chose to roll with Gabriel, the veteran known for his safe, methodical playstyle. While Gabriel’s experience offers stability, critics argue it limits the offense’s potential explosiveness — something Shedeur brings in abundance.
Sharpe, who’s long been a vocal supporter of Deion Sanders and his son, believes the Browns are missing out on a golden opportunity to spark the franchise and energize its fan base.
“Shedeur’s not just a highlight reel — he’s a leader,” Sharpe continued. “He’s been in big moments. He’s been under pressure. The kid’s built for this. You don’t learn leadership sitting on the bench.”
Statistically, the Browns’ offense ranks near the bottom of the league in passing efficiency and red-zone conversions. Their defense, anchored by Myles Garrett, continues to carry the load — but without consistent quarterback play, Cleveland’s playoff hopes are slipping away fast.
Reports suggest the organization wants to “ease” Shedeur into the pro game rather than rushing him into a turbulent situation. But for many, including Sharpe, that reasoning doesn’t hold water.
“If you’re good enough to play, you’re good enough to start,” Sharpe said bluntly. “And Shedeur’s been proving he’s good enough since Day One.”
As the Browns prepare for a crucial divisional stretch, the pressure on Stefanski’s staff is mounting. Fans are restless. Analysts are divided. And Shannon Sharpe’s viral remarks have only amplified the scrutiny.
If Dillon Gabriel struggles again, the chants for Shedeur Sanders to take over won’t just come from the stands — they’ll echo across the entire football world.
Because as Sharpe put it best:
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
