Shedeur Sanders reacts to Kevin Stefanski’s Browns firing
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The Cleveland Browns will be searching for another head coach after axing Kevin Stefanski on “Black Monday” after six seasons with the team.
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who fans believe has been surpassed by Stefanski, spoke about the move Monday as he and other Browns teammates head into the offseason.
Asked what reporters thought of the news, Sanders said, “We just found out a few seconds ago.” New York Post. “I think it’s just the general mentality, things are going to happen, that’s the league.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 4, 2026 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Dean/AP Photo)
“And moving forward, focus on what we can improve on individually for the next coach.”
That was a pretty generic response from Sanders, who saw Stefanski serve as the starting quarterback for the remaining seven games of the Browns’ dismal 5-12 season.
Sanders was under scrutiny the moment the Browns selected him in the fifth round; especially considering that last April many believed he could be a first-round pick. Frankly, that didn’t happen, and his draft stock plummeted as teams, including his own, acquired point guards before him.
AFTER SIX SEASONS, BROWNS ATES HEAD COACH KEVIN STEFANSKI
There was plenty of speculation throughout training camp and even into the regular season that the Browns weren’t giving Sanders a fair shot at earning the right to start under center, and fingers began to point at the head coach.
Stefanski’s role in Sanders’ rookie season was checkered, at least in the public eye. However, Sanders stated that he and Stefanski “began to understand each other” during their first season working together.
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns represents the national anthem before the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 8, 2025 in Charlotte. (Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
“We were going to share different things that we were both going to go through,” Sanders explained. “I know you want this win and I know you want every win, but I also know this is so important.”
“I wish we all played as a team,” he continued. “I wish we could have done more personally last year.”
As the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18 in the final game of the 2025 season, Sanders was 11 of 22 passing for 11 yards and a lost fumble.
“I think I did what I could and I definitely improved from a lot of things,” Sanders said, reflecting on his rookie campaign.
The season began with Stefanski saying veteran Joe Flacco was the starting quarterback, even though Sanders and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel were also on the roster. The trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders made the battle between Sanders and Gabriel as Flacco’s backup one of the most talked about events of the summer.
Shedeur Sanders (12) and Teven Jenkins (74) of the Cleveland Browns celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Cleveland. (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)
Stefanski eventually selected Gabriel, who would start six games after Flacco was traded to the Bengals midseason. Gabriel was just 1-5 in those starts, and after a concussion, Sanders was in line to try his hand at a starting role.
He earned his first start against the Raiders and went 3-4 overall in seven starts. Sanders threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions and completed 56.6% of his throws.
The Browns won’t commit to Sanders or any quarterback heading into 2026 because they want to solidify their next coach and let that person decide what’s best for the team. Cleveland also signed Deshaun Watson to a contract for next season, and GM Andrew Berry said they expect the struggling signal-caller to be on the team heading into the 2026 season.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam also said Monday, “I’m not going to go into details. We have a lot of work to do on the roster, especially on the offensive end.” he said.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a news conference following the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)
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Stefanski, meanwhile, could return to a head coaching job elsewhere in the NFL. ESPN reports The New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans are expected to bring him in to discuss their respective head coaching positions.
Stefanski was a two-time Coach of the Year honoree with the Browns and helped lead the team to two playoff appearances during his six years with the team (2020, 2023). They won 45-56 in 101 games in the series.
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