Shedeur Sanders dealt major blow by Browns coach despite rookie's stunning preseason debut
By JAMES COHEN,
After his impressive preseason debut, many believe that Shedeur Sanders has earned himself some time with the Browns' first-team offense. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski is not so sure.
All eyes were on the fourth-choice quarterback - who was drafted 144th overall - on Friday night as he made his first outing as a Cleveland player.
Despite initial concerns, Sanders made a brilliant first impression in his team's 30-10 win over the Panthers, completing 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 138 yards - including two touchdowns.
Fans, celebrities and league executives alike watched on in shock as Sanders dominated the game and lived up to the hype that has surrounded him, despite his slide down the draft boards at the end of April.
However, despite the impressive display, Cleveland coach Stefanski refused to guarantee an increase in practice repetitions or that Sanders would soon be working with the first-team offense.
Speaking on Saturday, he said: 'We need to get through the next couple of days from an injury standpoint and see where everybody is.
Shedeur Sanders made an impressive start to life as a Cleveland Brown on Friday evening
However, head coach Kevin Stefanski refused to guarantee more practice repetitions
'I'm really focused on all of our quarterbacks' development and every single one of these reps last night, how important they are. So that's what I'm focused on more than anything.'
Reports have since claimed that he is still likely to be fourth-choice QB for the Browns behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.
Stefanski went on to suggest that there are still aspects of Sanders' game that he can 'clean up' despite shining in his preseason debut.
He continued: 'We have a standard for that position and really every position, but certainly the quarterback position.
'There's a standard by which we play and how we play and how we operate and how we take care of the football and those type of things,' Stefanski said.
'There are things that Shedeur can clean up, he will clean up. But, by and large, I thought the operation was really good, and that's important when you have different guys in there.
'I think it goes back to, with Shedeur or any player, you're maximizing all of your time in the building.'
Fans were left stunned by Sanders balling out on his debut in the NFL, with one even calling it 'history-making', and another claiming he has 'proven his doubters wrong'.
Sanders made a brilliant first impression in his team's 30-10 win over the Panthers
The 2025 Draft's 144th pick completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 138 yards for the Browns
Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe, Scott Patsko and Ashley Bastock note: 'The upcoming joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles could prove pivotal for Sanders' trajectory.
'While it's unlikely he'll receive significant first-team reps against the defending Super Bowl champions, continued strong performances could accelerate his timeline.
'For now, Sanders has done exactly what a developmental quarterback should: he's taken advantage of every opportunity given to him. The question is no longer if he'll move up the depth chart, but when.'
Meanwhile, Sanders was seen calling out a critical local journalist just moments after his stunning debut for the Cleveland Browns on Friday night.
In the moments after the game, Sanders spoke with local Cleveland sports writer and radio personality Tony Grossi in the tunnel.
Sanders was not confrontational but the quarterback did question why Grossi had been critical of him in his coverage this summer.
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