Ex-Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Praises Shedeur Sanders: “I loved coaching him”

Kevin Stefanski praised former quarterback Shedeur Sanders work-ethic and claimed that he enjoyed coaching the Browns signal caller.

Ex-Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Praises Shedeur Sanders: “I loved coaching him”

Shedeur Sanders and Kevin Stefanski inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Kevin Stefanski praised Shedeur Sanders, stating he enjoyed coaching him and recognized his potential.
  • Sanders struggled for playing time under Stefanski, primarily practicing with reserves before becoming a starter due to an injury.
  • The Browns are set for a quarterback competition involving Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and possibly another free agent under new coach Todd Monken.

Kevin Stefanski set the record straight about his time coaching Shedeur Sanders at the Cleveland Browns. The former Browns and current Falcons head coach claimed that he enjoyed coaching Sanders, despite the negative narratives that engulfed his final year with the Cleveland club.

Speaking on Pardon My Take at the NFL Combine, Stefanski looked back on his time with Sanders.

I love Shedeur [Sanders]. 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.

Stefanski declared

Stefanski’s future in Cleveland was already in doubt, and his treatment of Sanders turned the Browns fans against him. According to reports from Browns insiders, Sanders was not allowed to train with the first team, unlike his fellow rookie, Dillon Gabriel. He spent the entire training camp and a major part of his first year buried in the depth chart while practicing with the reserves.

It wasn’t until Gabriel suffered an injury and Stefanski had no choice but to start Shedeur that the 24-year-old was allowed to exhibit his abilities. Despite the lack of first-team reps, Sanders displayed QB1-caliber maturity in his distribution, leaving teammates mesmerized.

Sanders went 3-4 as the starter. He completed 120 passes (56.6%) for 1400 yards, threw 7 touchdowns, and had 10 interceptions while also adding one more using his feet. The Browns finished at the bottom of their division once again, and a short while later, Stefanski was removed from his coaching duties. Stefanski ended his tenure in Cleveland with a 45-56 record (.446), including a couple of trips to the playoffs.

It did not take long for Stefanski to find a new job. Recently appointed president of football in Atlanta, Matt Ryan, recruited Stefanski for the Falcons’ vacant head coaching gig.

Jason Whitlock gives his honest take on the Browns quarterback situation involving Shedeur Sanders

The Browns replaced Stefanski with former offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Monken, who recently turned 60, is a big admirer of Sanders and tried to draft the Colorado graduate in Baltimore.

Ex-Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Praises Shedeur Sanders: "I loved coaching him, seriously"
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Monken now has the chance to show Sanders his ways and squeeze out Lamar Jackson levels of production from the second-year signal caller. However, there’s a catch. Sanders is not the only one vying for the Browns’ QB1 spot. Gabriel aside, the Browns are set to welcome back veteran Deshaun Watson, who spent last season on IR, recovering from an ACL injury.

Reporter Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland recently intimated that Sanders, Watson, and a third quarterback, possibly a free agent, will compete for the starting quarterback position. Even though Watson has only played 19 games since 2021, Jason Whitlock thinks he has the advantage.

Todd Monken opened the door for a quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson yesterday. Even with all of the baggage Watson brings, I think he would wipe the floor with Shedeur in a competition based on pure skill alone. No praise for Deshaun, Shedeur just is not that level of talent.

Jason Whitlock said via X

At the very least, Sanders will have a better chance to showcase his talents under the new regime compared to last year. The fans are undoubtedly on Sanders’ side, and Watson comes with heavy baggage. That said, Watson has the experience to cope with the harsh terrain of the AFC North and might be the safest option for Monken to rely on.

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