After the game against the Titans, things have changed for both Kevin Stefanski and Shedeur Sanders. Fans have taken no mercy on Stefanski after that controversial call for which he subbed Sanders. Now the critics are pointing out how that play could have tied that game. Thankfully for Sanders, that performance just sealed his position as the Browns' starting QB for the rest of the season. And now praise has come forth from the HC as well. 

In a press conference, Stefanski pointed out Sanders' improvements. “There are a lot of quarterbacks that have always made plays outside the structure of their offense, from when they were young to when they get to the pros. And you never want to take that away from a player, and Shedeur has an ability to make plays off-schedule. So that's something that you certainly want to promote and enhance and get the team playing to that style as well,” he said. 

The rookie QB has shown off this skill in the NFL. In the Browns vs. Raiders game, on 3rd-and-long, Sanders escaped a collapsing pocket and threw a 52-yard deep pass to Isaiah Bond, turning a broken play into a huge gain. That play had also earned him praises from the Browns' head coach. 

Stefanski further added, “You also want to make it easy for your quarterback when you can and when you can get those completions on time and play within the rhythm of the offense. That makes you really difficult to defend… It's a hard, it's a trait that not many people possess.” However, the head coach talking about helping Sanders is good news, especially after rumors of friction between the pair. 

When Sanders debuted, there were rumors that Stefanski wasn't giving Sanders his due. Analysts like Stephen A. Smith have also backed this narrative. Despite the rumors, they have defended each other in front of the media.

Stefanski has given Sanders the starting job, and with good reason.

Kevin Stefanski on why he chose Shedeur Sanders as the starter

After Shedeur Sanders threw for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns, alongside a rushing TD, the reactions started pouring in. After all, he was the first Browns QB to record such a number after 1950. Kevin Stefanski also chimed in about how Sanders has progressed.

“He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games, in how he’s approached this game. He’s been working very hard, so I feel good about where his development is heading. He knows there are always going to be plays that he can be better and those type of things. But he’s very intentional about getting better each and every game he’s out there,” Stefanski said. 

Sanders has attempted 103 passes, completed 54 of them (52.4% completion rate), for 769 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in the four games. He started shaky vs. the Ravens (4/16, 47 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT), then progressed with a solid start at the Raiders (11/20, 209 yards, 1 TD). His accuracy improved vs. the 49ers (16/25, 149 yards, 1 TD) and then the historic Titans game.

How do you think he will do as a regular starter now? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi