Browns' Shedeur Sanders defends Kevin Stefanski against 'sabotage' claims from supporters

Cleveland Browns rookie backmost Shedeur Sanders made franchise past with his Week 12 triumph implicit the Las Vegas Raiders, and caput manager Kevin Stefanski is keeping him successful spot arsenic the team’s starter heading into this week.

There is, however, a radical of Sanders fans who person been saying each play that Stefanski was "sabotaging" the Colorado product. Sanders says otherwise.

The fifth-round prime by the Browns was speaking to reporters erstwhile 1 newsman said, "All your supporters retired determination accidental that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you."

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Head manager Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks with Shedeur Sanders #12 earlier the crippled against the Las Vegas Raiders astatine Allegiant Stadium connected Nov. 23, 2025 successful Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)

"So, you conscionable privation to commencement trouble, huh?" Sanders responded during his property conference.

Though Dillon Gabriel, the rookie backmost taken 2 rounds earlier Sanders backmost successful April, was cleared to play this week aft being successful concussion protocol, Stefanski named Sanders the Browns’ starter.

So, aft a follow-up question astir what Sanders’ narration is similar with his caput coach, helium emphasized however small the extracurricular position connected his concern successful Cleveland matters.

SHEDEUR SANDERS ‘THANKFUL’ FOR TRUMP'S SUPPORT AMID WILD START TO NFL CAREER

"What radical bash extracurricular the gathering isn’t truly successful my control," helium responded. "It’s not successful my power. So I don’t — you enactment similar I spell retired determination and archer them to bash whatever. You know, that’s not thing I power oregon thing I tin do.

"Overall, I’m conscionable blessed to beryllium here. Coach Stefanski has been coaching since I got here, and he’s been doing a large occupation with everything that’s going on."

Sanders added that his narration with Stefanski is "definitely similar a coach," which involves telling him "what I request to do, connected and disconnected the field."

Head manager Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns instructs Shedeur Sanders #12 during rookie mini-camp astatine CrossCountry Mortgage Campus connected May 10, 2025, successful Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)

"We’ve decidedly grown — our narration and everything has grown. So I’m conscionable thankful to beryllium here."

Sanders became the archetypal Browns rookie backmost since 1999 to triumph his archetypal vocation commencement aft the 24-10 triumph implicit the Raiders. He secured his archetypal vocation touchdown walk acknowledgment to the velocity of rookie moving backmost Dylan Sampson sprinting done Las Vegas’ defence for a 66-yard catch-and-run score.

Sanders besides showcased beardown accuracy, uncovering rookie receiver Isaiah Bond for a 52-yard onslaught that would’ve been his archetypal touchdown if it wasn’t for a shoestring tackle.

Sanders’ show was a enactment of caller aerial for Cleveland fans, who saw the team’s 3rd triumph this season. Even President Donald Trump showed praise for the young signal-caller.

"Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins archetypal game, vocation start, arsenic a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!"

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Sanders acknowledged Trump’s support.

"I’m conscionable thankful for him, adjacent taking clip retired of his time to beryllium capable to talk retired and support," helium said, via 92.3 The Fan.

Sanders volition beryllium facing a pugnacious San Francisco 49ers defence successful his archetypal vocation commencement astatine location successful Cleveland.

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