Cleveland Browns Coach on Shedeur Sanders’ Future
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski remained ambiguous about Shedeur Sanders’ future with the team after his impressive preseason quarterback debut against the Panthers. Sanders threw two touchdown passes during the game, earning praise from notables like LeBron James and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.
Despite this standout performance, Stefanski didn’t clarify if Sanders would move up from his current position as fourth on the depth chart, behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
When asked about Sanders’ role following the game, Stefanski noted, “We need to get through the next few days from an injury perspective and see where everyone is.” He emphasized that he was focused on evaluating the quarterbacks and their performances over the last game.
Stefanski mentioned that while Sanders could improve on certain aspects, the overall performance was solid, saying, “I thought the operation was really good.” He acknowledged that there were areas for Sanders to clean up, particularly regarding how the team handles the ball.
Responses to Stefanski’s comments on social media varied, with some fans arguing that Sanders deserves more recognition for his achievements. One user pointed out that praising the coach while overlooking Sanders seemed off, while another urged the team to “stop playing and already name the starter.”
After the game, Sanders expressed some dissatisfaction with his performance, stating, “Did I play great? No, I don’t feel like I did.” However, he was pleased that the team secured the win, emphasizing the importance of feeling uncomfortable and growing from the experience.
On whether he believes he has a fair shot at the starting job, Sanders remarked, “You can’t control everything… but when your number is called, all you can do is help your team win.” He made a point to address some of his critics, specifically ESPN’s Tony Grossi, in a light-hearted moment captured in a video posted by his brother. He urged Grossi to share something positive about him, implying that there has been a lack of constructive feedback.
Looking ahead, Stefanski mentioned that Sanders would likely get more chances in the upcoming preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is notable considering Sanders was selected as the 144th pick in the recent NFL Draft, a significant drop from earlier predictions that he might go first overall due to concerns about his character.
Additionally, Sanders’ offseason has not been without controversy. He was recently cited for speeding twice, with the first incident recorded at 91 mph in a 65 mph zone, followed shortly by a second citation for allegedly driving 101 mph in a 60 mph zone. Browns general manager Andrew Berry remarked on the issue, stating that such behavior is unacceptable and poses risks not just to oneself but to others as well.
