Fans Blast Kevin Stefanski for ‘Setting Up’ Shedeur Sanders to Fail in Preseason Finale vs. Rams

Shedeur Sanders took several sacks in the final preseason game that resulted in him getting benched before the final whistle.

Fans Blast Kevin Stefanski for ‘Setting Up’ Shedeur Sanders to Fail in Preseason Finale vs. Rams

Shedeur Sanders and Kevin Stefanski (Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Many fans on social media have accused Kevin Stefanski of sabotaging Shedeur Sanders’ stock by benching the rookie quarterback midway through the Browns’ preseason finale against the Rams. It may prove detrimental in the Browns’ quarterback battle.

After missing the Eagles game in Philadelphia due to an oblique injury, Sanders returned to the Browns bench for his second appearance in the orange. He waited until the second half for his first reps.

Sanders’ first play was a crisp 6-yard pass. However, the Rams’ pass rush sacked him for a loss of -1 yard. The Browns punted the ball away.

From that point on, his performance only deteriorated.

Right before the end of the third quarter, the Rams’ linebacker Jamil Muhammad landed a big hit on Sanders, causing him to lose the football. The drive ended with the Browns turning the ball over.

The Rams punted in their drive, giving Sanders the chance to redeem himself. Seven minutes before the end, Sanders was sacked once again by the Rams’ defense.

After Sanders threw an incomplete pass to running back Trayveon Williams, the Browns punted once more. The Rams scored on the following drive to take a one-point lead.

Sanders prepped himself to go back out on the field, but Stefanski replaced him with Tyler Huntley. Cameras caught him shaking his head in disappointment for getting benched.

Kevin Stefanski faces heat from fans for benching Shedeur Sanders

Naturally, Sanders’ admirers felt confused and disgusted by Stefanski’s decision. They wanted Sanders to play until the final whistle.

Fans Blast Kevin Stefanski for 'Setting Up' Shedeur Sanders to Fail in Preseason Finale vs. Rams
Sheduer Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Huntley’s inclusion was unnecessary because it’s more than likely that he will not be part of the final roster. So, it was better for Sanders to experience the thrill of the final two minutes of an NFL game, even though it’s only the preseason.

Former Raiders and Saints quarterback Derek Carr served as the torchbearer for Sanders.

I need to understand why we don’t get to see Shedeur Sanders run this 2-minute drill? Wouldn’t you want to see your young QB operate in this situation? Get him more reps for the future? I didn’t see the whole game, so maybe he already showed enough? Help me understand this...

Derek Carr tweeted

The Browns eventually won the game 17-19, but Huntley barely made any impact. He only completed one pass for 7 yards before the referee announced the end of the tie.

Sanders only completed 3 passes from 6 attempts in nearly two quarters of football for 14 yards, and was sacked multiple times.

In the post-game presser, reporters asked Stefanski to explain the reason behind benching Sanders for Huntley, even though there were only two minutes left to play.

Obviously, we didn’t play great as an offense in the second half… that’s never on one person [Shedeur]. We can be better in a bunch of areas. We just felt like we wanted to give [Huntley] a last drive.

Kevin Stefanski said

Regardless of how the preseason ended, Sanders’ status on the Browns roster is safe. Earlier this week, Stefanski confirmed that they will keep all four quarterbacks: Flacco, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett.

It’s reassuring for Sanders because he has had a rough start to his NFL career. Despite being projected as a first-round draft pick, he slipped to the fifth round. The Browns selected him after they drafted Gabriel in the third.

Also Read: