Present Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski held that position with the Cleveland Browns final 12 months and was accused of “sabotaging” 2025 rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as a result of Stefanski routinely failed to provide Sanders first-team apply reps from the beginning of coaching camp up till Sanders endured a rough regular-season debut in November.
Throughout the newest version of the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Stefanski opened up about his working relationship with Sanders that proved to be short-lived.
Kevin Stefanski has “love” for Shedeur Sanders
“I’ll say this,” Stefanski stated, per Brigid Kennedy of Sports activities Illustrated. “I really like Shedeur. I liked teaching him, critically. He is acquired the precise make-up for this recreation. He was wired the precise means. I want that we gained extra, clearly, however in case you noticed how he performed down the stretch. I imply, he is a younger participant that is getting higher.”
The perception existed for months that Browns proprietor Jimmy Haslam and/or normal supervisor Andrew Berry mainly compelled Sanders on Stefanski. Such whispers grew solely louder after Stefanski saved Sanders buried on the depth chart beneath Joe Flacco and fellow 2025 rookie Dillon Gabriel all through the primary half of this previous season.
Whereas Sanders in the end went 3-4 throughout seven begins, he additionally might have been the league’s worst QB1, statistically speaking, of the 2025 marketing campaign. Lately employed Browns head coach Todd Monken is now anticipated to have Sanders compete with veteran Deshaun Watson and a to-be-acquired quarterback for the beginning job later this 12 months.
Kevin Stefanski “rooting for” Shedeur Sanders to succeed
No matter did and/or did not occur behind the scenes, it seems like Sanders may have a fan in Stefanski for years to come back.
“I am not teaching him anymore,” Stefanski added about Sanders throughout the interview, “so I do know I’ve to watch out about speaking about different gamers, however I’m rooting for him.”
Not for nothing, however there’s at the moment no assure that Michael Penix Jr. will emerge as a long-term franchise quarterback for the Falcons beneath Stefanski’s watch. If Penix struggles and the Browns go in a wholly totally different path relating to the game’s most vital place, maybe Stefanski would embrace reuniting with Sanders sooner or later down the highway.
