Stephen A Smith delivers bold take for Giants to get Shedeur Sanders

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Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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A young Cleveland Browns backup could solve the New York Giants' quarterback crisis after they lost Jaxson Dart to an injury two weeks into the season.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith delivered a surprising take on "First Take," suggesting Shedeur Sanders is the player he'd tell the Giants to go after while Dart recovers from his apparent season-ending injury. That's because he believes Sanders might be a better option than what the Giants currently have in Jameis Winston as their backup.

"Let me tell you something right now. If there was a possible way they could put it out, I'd tell the Giants to go out and pursue Shedeur Sanders. I ain't gonna lie to you. That was what was on my mind," Smith said in a stunning remark.

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"It ain't about finding a top 30 quarterback. It's about finding a better backup than Jameis Winston. Could you find that?" the ESPN star asked the Giants.

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Browns QB Shedeur Sanders warms up before Tampa Bay Buccaneers game

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After Dart's crushing injury in the first quarter of "Monday Night Football" against the Los Angeles Rams, Winston replaced him. However, his performance was underwhelming. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards, no touchdowns, and threw an interception.

The Rams also sacked him twice in what became a tough watch for Giants fans, as New York lost, 28-6.

Many were optimistic heading into the season with Dart at quarterback and both Malik Nabers Jr. and Cam Skattebo back from injuries they suffered last season. Unfortunately, the season now looks lost without Dart to complete what appeared to be a talented offense.

Sanders lost his quarterback competition to Browns veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson during the offseason. Watson recently guided the team to a surprising first win of the season over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-19.

With that winning performance, many believe that Watson proved he should remain the team's starter. Sanders is stuck waiting in the wings, and many people probably don't feel he'd be an upgrade over Winston, a veteran who has been in the league since 2015 and has started 89 of the 109 games he's played in his career.

Sanders, while young and inexperienced, has shown potential as he develops in the NFL. He achieved a 3-4 record in seven starts with the Browns last season, throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

There are still 15 games left in the season, and some feel the Giants should deal with the struggles with Winston as their guy, then take advantage of a poor record to yield a higher draft pick after the season. Nonetheless, the Giants may need to consider all options as they navigate this unfortunate quarterback setback with Dart.

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