Shedeur Sanders has been named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for the final four games of the season, following an opportunity created by fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel’s concussion. Drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, Sanders has shown remarkable accuracy, surpassing Gabriel, who was drafted significantly earlier. Despite this, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski refrained from addressing whether he regretted not giving Sanders more opportunities earlier in the season, stating he was focused on what lies ahead.
Stefanski’s reticence to engage in the topic may suggest possible regret about the team’s quarterback decisions this season. Currently, the Browns boast only three victories, mirroring their struggles from the previous year, a situation that raises significant pressure on the coaching staff. The NFL is a results-driven league, and sustained underperformance often jeopardizes coaching positions.
Adding complexity to the situation, Stefanski appeared surprised by the organization’s choice to trade their initial starting quarterback, who was also a team captain, to the Cincinnati Bengals despite his demotion to backup behind Gabriel. This decision points to Stefanski’s evident affinity for Gabriel, a player he admired for his decision-making skills, but Gabriel’s performance left much to be desired, culminating in five disappointing starts.
As the Browns finish their season with matchups against the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals, they will likely be the underdogs in each contest. There’s a palpable sense that Sanders now carries the weight of the team’s prospects; his performance in these remaining games could significantly impact Stefanski’s tenure with the team.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam previously indicated that improvement was expected after last season’s dismal three-win output. With the current season reflecting the same struggles, it is clear that time is running out for both Stefanski and his quarterback choices. Sanders, having only recently earned first-team reps, now stands as a pivotal figure in potentially altering the landscape of the Browns’ season and, perhaps, saving Stefanski’s job.
In this mounting pressure environment, the narrative surrounding Sanders shifts from an untested rookie to a possible savior, embodying the last hope for Cleveland to salvage a disappointing season.