Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has been getting a lot of flak over his response to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL start last Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fans and media members noticed that Stefanski did not give a game ball to Sanders. Also, Stefanski didn’t immediately name Sanders his starting quarterback for next week after Sunday’s win at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
When Sanders was asked about it on Wednesday, he wasn’t biting.
What Did Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Say?
Sanders led the Browns to a 24-10 victory over the Raiders. In the game, Sanders went 11-for-20 passing for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
On Wednesday, a reporter asked Sanders, “All your supporters say that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you…”
Sanders’ immediate reply? “So you just want to start trouble, huh?” When asked about his relationship with Stefanski, Sanders said, “Well, what people do outside the field really isn’t in my control. It’s not in my power, so I don’t…I go out there and tell him to do whatever. That’s something I can’t control or do.”
Reporter: “All your supporters say that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you…”
Shedeur Sanders “So you just want to start trouble, huh?”
(🎥 @Browns) pic.twitter.com/2MYYj53aA9
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 26, 2025
He added, “But overall, you know, I am just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski has been coaching since I got here, and he’s been doing a very great job, you know, with everything that’s going on.”
When asked to clarify what his relationship with Stefanski was like, Sanders said, “Definitely like a coach. You know, he tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We’ve definitely grown. Our relationship and everything has grown, so I’m just thankful to be here.”
Sanders was getting a ton of attention ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially being slotted as a first-round draft pick. Well, that didn’t happen. In fact, Sanders saw his stock drop all the way to the fifth round, where the Browns selected him to join an already-crowded Browns quarterback room at the time.
Fellow Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel moved into the QB1 position after Cleveland traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals during this season. When Gabriel got injured and couldn’t start last Sunday, Sanders was bumped up from his backup role to starter.
According to the PFSN NFL QB Impact metrics, Gabriel has an impact score of 51.5 and grades out to an F. There’s not enough data available at this moment for Sanders to have an impact score or grade in these metrics.
Stefanski named Sanders as his starter for the 3-8 Browns in Sunday’s home game against Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. Outside of Sunday’s start on the road, Browns fans will get their first look in a home game at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland with Sanders leading the Cleveland offense from the get-go.