Kevin Stefanski and Shedeur Sanders haven’t spent much time together as Cleveland Browns, but the spotlight is already on their dynamic.
As the calendar turns to June, it marks barely a month since the team drafted Sanders — and yet he’s drawing more attention than most fifth-round picks ever do. That’s what happens when a high-profile prospect slides in the NFL Draft and lands in a quarterback room full of veterans and questions.
High Praise Early: Cleveland Browns’ Kevin Stefanski Impressed With Shedeur Sanders
During a May 23 interview with ESPN Cleveland, posted on X, Stefanski shared his early impressions of the rookie quarterback.
“Shedeur is a great kid, and whether it’s a following that he’s earned, that’s something that he’s done a great job of, of interacting with fans, but he is a great, great kid. … He’s working like crazy, just like all the guys,” Stefanski said.
“My office is downstairs,” he added. “They got to walk by my office as they come in. They come in early, and Shedeur, just like all those guys, he’s in there early. He’s getting his work done. So he’s working really, really hard. I like everything there is about Shedeur.”
"He's in there early, he's getting his work done, he's working really, really hard. I like everything there is about Shedeur," – @Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/qEZa3jTa4T
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland)
There was no hesitation in Stefanski’s tone. His endorsement of Sanders was clear and genuine. And that kind of early praise matters — especially for a rookie who’s looking to climb a steep depth chart before Week 1.
Had Stefanski sounded anything less than positive, it might have been time to recalibrate expectations about Sanders seeing the field this fall.
Exploring How Much Sanders Could Have Lost in Disastrous NFL Draft Slide
For every player who falls in the draft, there’s always someone saying, “At least he made it to the NFL.” But in Shedeur Sanders’ case, the drop came with a massive financial hit.
According to Spotrac, Sanders’ rookie deal with the Browns is worth about $4.6 million over four years. That’s a solid payday — until you compare it with where many expected him to be picked.
Plenty of mock drafts had Sanders going as high as second overall. For context, No. 1 pick Cam Ward just signed a four-year deal worth $48.7 million. While the No. 2 pick wouldn’t have landed exactly that number, it would’ve been in the same neighborhood.
All told, Sanders likely lost upwards of $40 million due to the draft slide. The only way to make that up now? Beat the odds, win the Browns’ starting job, and play well enough to earn a second contract that changes the conversation.
The opportunity is there. So is the pressure. Will Sanders rise to the challenge?
