The Cleveland Browns closed out their preseason slate Saturday afternoon at Huntington Bank Field, hosting the Los Angeles Rams in their third and final tune-up before the regular season. The Browns escaped with a 19-17 victory, but one decision involving rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders drew criticism around the league.
Derek Carr Critical of Browns’ Handling of Shedeur Sanders in Preseason Finale
Sanders, who completed 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards, did not return for Cleveland’s two-minute drill despite the team trailing by one with less than two minutes remaining. Instead, Tyler Huntley took the field and threw an interception on his first pass attempt.
Fortunately for the Browns, Huntley’s interception was nullified by a defensive holding call on Rams cornerback Cam Lampkin, allowing Cleveland to retain possession and move down the field for the game-winning field goal.
Despite the win, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr questioned the decision on social media.
“I need to understand why we don’t get to see [Sanders] run this 2-minute drill,” Carr asked his followers on X. “Wouldn’t you want to see your young QB operate in this situation? Get him more reps for the future? I didn’t see the whole game, so maybe he already showed enough? Help me understand this.”
I need to understand why we don’t get to see @ShedeurSanders run this 2 minute drill? Wouldn’t you want to see your young QB operate in this situation? Get him more reps for the future? I didn’t see the whole game so maybe he already showed enough? Help me understand this…
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) August 23, 2025
In response to a fan who noted that Sanders was “holding the ball, taking bad sacks, and fumbling,” Carr said, “I can understand that. But this is potentially (you never know) his last chance for reps all year.”
Carr wasn’t the only one puzzled by the team’s decision. According to Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy, Sanders was visibly frustrated on the sideline after being told he would not return for another drive.
Shedeur was just upset at the coaching staff for not letting him come back out for another drive. Huntley does throw an INT on his first throw lol.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 23, 2025
After the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski defended the quarterback rotation, saying he wanted to see Huntley in that situation.
“Obviously, we didn’t play great as an offense in the second half,” Stefanski said. “That’s never on one person … we can be better in a bunch of areas … we just felt like we wanted to give [Huntley] the last drive.”
Kevin Stefanski on why Shedeur Sanders didn’t lead the 2-min drill at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/MmxLliYUKY
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 23, 2025
As for the quarterback’s sideline exchange before the two-minute drill, Stefanski downplayed the situation, calling the rookie “a competitive kid.”
Sanders, the former Colorado standout and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is competing for a backup role behind veteran Joe Flacco. Saturday’s late-game benching suggests he still has work to do to earn Stefanski’s trust.
