Shedeur Sanders started strong against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In the 23-20 match, the rookie completed 20 passes out of 29 for 157 yards.

He scored a touchdown but was intercepted twice, which wouldn't have happened if not for a 'controversial' call by head coach Kevin Stefanski.

In a post-game conference, a reporter questioned him about whether he was happy with the in-game calls made by Stefanski. To which Sanders simply smiled and replied, “I know you can’t be asking me that question, man.”

Things were looking great in the first drive for Sanders, who played with an injured finger, until Stefanski’s fourth-down call backfired. Greg Rousseau tracked down the quarterback and sacked him. 

Sanders was quick to express his disappointment with the reporter. He said that the players do want to work with the media, remain honest, and improve, but condemned the divisive question.

“If we want to change, if we want to change the narrative, change the franchise, if we want to help, we got to speak.” 

He later added, “A lot of the players get these type of questions, and then we want to be working with y’all. But when you ask questions, it’s like you pinning stuff against each other, it’s like, come on now.”

Sanders’ Stance on Unity

The Browns’ starting quarterback further spoke about unity among the players and how these questions affect communication between the players and the locker room environment. 

“It’s like being in a locker room. We’re not going to be able to talk to them for real. We’re not going to be able to give them what they need because that separates the team.” 

Sanders, more than anyone, knows how friction between teammates spills into performance on the field. Stefanski’s reluctance to let Sanders start and preferring Dillion Gabriel, another rookie quarterback, had made headlines earlier this season.

“That don’t help anything. It don’t help anything in any situation, no matter how you answer it,” he further added. 

This is not the first time he has managed aggressive questions. After his altercation with Jerry Jeudy on the sideline against the 49ers, Sanders told the press, “We resolved that. We're not going to speak on that.” 

He displayed similar composure during Week 15 when Stefanski misplaced Sanders’ wristband, and was accused of ‘sabotaging’ the rookie. 

Sanders denied such a notion and replied, “The card just fell out. It fell out on the sideline. That was it.”

After the Bills’ matchup, Stefanski’s game calls are under scrutiny again. He has been held accountable for mismanagement, even after dividing the responsibility with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

In week 14, they attempted two-point conversions twice, in the fourth quarter, and failed. This was followed by allowing too many players on the field against the Bears in Week 15 and a penalty for an early start. 

At present, the Browns are dealing with the aftermath of losing a matchup by just three points, and Sanders maintains, “We want to be proactive.” 

What is your takeaway on the whole? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das