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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski remains tight-lipped about Shedeur Sanders’ future with the team following the quarterback’s impressive preseason debut on Friday night. Sanders stole the spotlight with two touchdown passes against the Carolina Panthers, garnering praise from sports icons like LeBron James and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley. However, Stefanski did not confirm if this performance would elevate Sanders from his current position as fourth on the depth chart, behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
Stefanski addressed reporters on Saturday, stating, "We need to get through the next couple of days from an injury standpoint and see where everybody is." He emphasized his focus on the development of all quarterbacks, highlighting the significance of every rep taken during the game. "That’s what I’m focused on more than anything," he added.
While praising Sanders’ overall performance, Stefanski mentioned that there are areas for improvement. “We have a standard for that position, and really every position, but certainly the quarterback position. There’s a standard by which we play and how we operate, especially in terms of taking care of the football,” he said. “There are things that Shedeur can clean up, and he will clean up. Overall, I thought the operation was really good.”
Critics on social media expressed frustration, arguing that Sanders deserves more recognition. One user remarked, "Getting Kevin Stefanski to praise Shedeur and not the rookies or QBs as a whole is like pulling teeth." Another urged, "Stop playing and name him the starter already."
Despite his two touchdown passes, Sanders was critical of his performance, stating, "Did I play up to par? No, I don’t feel like I did. But the main goal was to win, and that’s honestly what we did. I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable, so that’s what it is."
When asked about his chances of securing the starting role, Sanders responded, “I just don’t think that deeply about everything because there’s nothing you can control. The most you can do is perform when your number is called and win the game. That’s what we did today, and there are definitely things I can grow from.”
In a light-hearted moment, Sanders confronted ESPN reporter Tony Grossi, who has been critical of him in the past. “Tony, I hope you have something positive to say about me. You only say negative stuff about me," Sanders quipped, emphasizing his desire for constructive feedback.
As the Browns prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in their second preseason game next week, Stefanski confirmed that Sanders would receive significant playing time. After being selected as the 144th pick in the NFL Draft, Sanders experienced one of the most surprising draft slides in history, raising eyebrows and sparking debate among NFL fans.
Adding to the narrative, Sanders’ time with the Browns has not been without controversy. He faced two speeding citations, with one incident reportedly involving him driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone and another at 101 mph in a 60 mph zone. Browns general manager Andrew Berry criticized Sanders for his actions, stating, "Not smart. Just not smart. We’ve addressed this with him. He understands the implications and consequences."
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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital, with prior experience at ESPN and Business Insider. He has covered major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and interviewed iconic athletes like Usain Bolt and Jerry Rice.
