Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kevin Stefanski's Comments on Shedeur Sanders Draw Backlash

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sami Haider | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 2:50 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders, 24, spent the first ten weeks of his rookie campaign buried on the Cleveland Browns' depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, despite fans arguing to give him a QB1 role.

However, former head coach Kevin Stefanski didn't change his decision until Week 11, when Gabriel was sidelined with a concussion. Not to mention, Sanders' debut was rocky, but by the time he had found his footing.

In just his third start, he threw for 364 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. He finished the season 3-4 as a starter. The numbers were not solid, but sufficient to make his ten-week benching look like a mistake.

When asked directly whether he and Stefanski had any bad blood, the Texas native dodged those headline questions with absolute professionalism. He never threw his coach under the bus.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) signals at Huntington Bank Field.Imagn Images

Then Stefanski got axed on Jan. 5 following the disappointing 5-12 run. Shortly after, he was hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. And despite the sabotage narratives that circulated during Sanders' rookie season, Stefanski has recently offered praise for the young signal-caller.

On the "Pardon My Take" podcast, he said, "I love Shedeur. I loved coaching him, seriously. He’s got the right makeup for this game; he was wired the right way. I wish that we won more obviously, but if you saw how he played down the stretch, I mean he’s a young player that’s getting better."

Kevin Stefanski only had positive things to say about coaching Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/5P2CWJwXar
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 28, 2026

Browns fans, however, weren't prepared to let the revisionist history slide.

One wrote, "I'll wait until he gets fired to hear his real thoughts."

Another added,"His actions the entire season say otherwise."

A third one noted, "Yea. That's why you gave him literally zero chance ."

A fourth claimed, "He couldn't work with Baker, he destroyed Watson, and we have no idea what Sanders or Gabriel are. [Expletive] coach set us back years."

The fifth fan remarked, "After getting a C- grade and now coaching Michael Penix, he had no choice but to say that."

Heading into 2026, neither man is in a comfortable position. Sanders faces a crowded Browns QB room with Deshaun Watson returning. Stefanski, meanwhile, received a C- grade on the 2026 NFLPA Report Cards, the lowest grade among head coaches.

The irony? In Atlanta, Stefanski replaces Raheem Morris, who was popular with his roster and earned a B+ grade in the same survey.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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