Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Makes Feelings Very Clear on Shedeur Sanders’ ‘Development’ After Preseason Finale

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski pushed back Sunday against suggestions that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was being mishandled in his first NFL preseason.

The ex-Colorado quarterback Sanders showed signs of struggle in Saturday’s 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. As he completed three of six passes for 14 yards, he was sacked five times before being replaced by Tyler Huntley.

The performance drew varied reactions from pundits and media, with some claiming Stefanski’s quarterback rotation put Sanders at a disadvantage. Asked about the narrative, Stefanski made his position clear.

“Obviously I don’t concern myself with outside type of things,” he told reporters. “I’m committed to his development, just like all of our rookies. We’ll continue to focus on getting our guys better. That’s what’s important to me.”

“I’m committed to his development just like all of our rookies,” Kevin Stefanski on the outside narratives about Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/UBaZG61HN0

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 24, 2025

Sanders’ preseason showed flashes of promise but was hindered by shoulder and oblique injuries that sidelined him in August. He impressed in his debut before sitting out Week 2, making Saturday his final chance before roster cuts.

Veteran Joe Flacco was named the starter last week, and after Stefanski’s latest statement, the Browns might keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, including Sanders, Huntley, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. Cleveland opens the regular season Sept. 7 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Skip Bayless Believes Browns Should Release Shedeur Sanders

Skip Bayless called for the Cleveland Browns to move on from rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In a recent clip tweeted by Bayless, the commentator claimed that Sanders has the talent to succeed but not in Cleveland.

“That team would’ve lit up for Shedeur,” Bayless said. “He’s just got that natural thing. He’s got that ‘it.’ The swagger is legit. It’s not fake. It’s not poser swagger. It’s real. He was raised around superstars. That’s the beauty of Shedeur Sanders. He’s got it in his blood. He’s got it in his genes. It’s just shameful to watch.”

Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was snubbed by the Browns, who have already committed to Joe Flacco as their starter and are expected to keep multiple quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

“How does this end? I don’t see how they’re gonna carry four quarterbacks. So I assume they’re gonna try to practice squad Shedeur. I hope they cut him. Here’s my point…Shedeur has to go elsewhere,” Bayless added.

GET SHEDEUR AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FROM THAT JOKE OF A FRANCHISE pic.twitter.com/5dYthqDsP2

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 24, 2025

Skip Bayless went on to argue that a release or practice-squad move could allow another franchise to give Sanders the opportunity he has not found in Cleveland.

Read more:

“Deserved” “Deion Least Favorite”: Fans React as Shilo Sanders Waived by Tampa Bay Buccaneers After Ejection Incident

Former NFL Star T.J. Houshmandzadeh Calls Out Kevin Stefanski After Shedeur Sanders’ Benching

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