
Calls are growing for Shedeur Sanders to seek a fresh start after the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Following Sunday’s 23-20 defeat, analysts questioned whether Cleveland offers the right environment for the rookie’s growth. Sanders completed 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 23-20 loss to the Bills. He also added 49 rushing yards, keeping the Browns competitive throughout the game.
Criticism intensified during ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo Show. Analyst Chopz argued that head coach Kevin Stefanski limits quarterback aggressiveness.
"Stefanski coaches aggressiveness out of quarterbacks. Go back to Baker, Deshaun. Yep. Go through all of them." Chopz said.
Rizzo agreed, saying Sanders needs an offense built around his strengths. He added that staying in Cleveland could stall the young quarterback’s development.
"Correct. It is absolutely correct. He's gotta go," Rizzo said. "You gotta get a different offense in here. Yes. I think it's best for Shedeur to get the hell out of here. I would want the hell out of here so fast your head would spin.
"And I would have a conversation at the end of the year and say, 'I need to go somewhere where people are gonna give me a chance to develop, where they believe in me and they put the things around me that make me good, not try to fit me into their system.'"
“Stefanski coaches aggressiveness out of quarterbacks,” - @Pchopz_.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 22, 2025
Do you agree? https://t.co/FmzYU30wrG pic.twitter.com/2F9TKEs0ST
Despite the stat line, Sanders showed resilience against a strong Bills roster led by Josh Allen . Both interceptions came on tipped passes, one deflected off Quinshon Judkins and another at the line.
Sanders opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Still, he now holds a 1:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his last two games.
So far, Sanders’ rookie season has been inconsistent. He has thrown for 1,103 yards with six touchdowns while battling pressure and limited offensive help.
Cleveland’s offense ranks near the bottom of the league, contributing to a 3-12 record. Protection issues and a struggling run game have forced Sanders into difficult spots.
With the Browns shifting toward evaluation mode, Sanders faces a key decision. Development, not survival, now defines his next step.
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