The dynamic partnership of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on First Take might already be showing cracks. After a much-anticipated debut last year, Sharpe joined ESPN following his highly publicized exit from Undisputed with Skip Bayless. However, their recent on-air clashes have left fans questioning whether the duo can maintain a long-term working relationship.
Monday’s episode became particularly heated during a debate about the Dallas Cowboys‘ potential future with Bill Belichick. While Sharpe argued that Belichick’s disciplined coaching style would clash with Jerry Jones’ hands-on approach, Smith took a more optimistic stance, suggesting the two could find common ground.
The discussion quickly spiraled into a fiery exchange when Sharpe pressed Smith about workplace dynamics. “Stephen A., do you like coming to your job every day and having a headache?” Sharpe asked, suggesting that Jones’ dominant presence would overshadow Belichick’s authority.
Smith, known for his sharp wit, didn’t hold back. “Your argument goes right out the window when you mention championships and the Cowboys in the same breath,” he quipped, a remark that visibly frustrated Sharpe.
Sharpe snapped at Stephen A
Sharpe’s response was short but cutting. “Now you know more football. Go ahead,” he snapped, his disgust evident. The moment drew comparisons to Sharpe’s past explosive interactions with Bayless, leading viewers to speculate whether similar tensions could derail his current partnership.
For now, the two sports personalities remain at the center of First Take’s appeal, but the question lingers: Can their fiery debates stay professional, or is another high-profile fallout on the horizon?