NFL Insider Reveals Shedeur Sanders' Biggest Frustration Under Kevin Stefanski
Shedeur Sanders' time with the Cleveland Browns has been rocky. An NFL insider has now revealed the core frustration the young QB had under former coach Kevin Stefanski. The issue stems from a lack of opportunity last season.
The team fired Stefanski and hired Todd Monken as his replacement. Per an NFL insider at The Athletic, Zac Jackson, Shedeur Sanders was frustrated under the previous coaching regime.
“Sanders felt he didn’t get a fair shake last spring and summer. As fourth in line, he never got the number of reps needed to make a strong impression,” Jackson wrote.
via Imago
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 throws a pass during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221009
Jackson also notes that Sanders was a bit unlucky in August due to an injury, “The time he missed last August due to an oblique strain ended any real chance he had to climb the depth chart - and there probably wasn’t much chance of that happening anyway.”
This relegated Sanders to the bottom of the depth chart. In the 2025 season, the Browns started with quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The only reason Sanders got the nod was when Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11. Since then, Sanders played eight games and passed for 1,400 yards and also had seven touchdowns.
While the Browns have officially announced a QB1 yet, who could it be between the returning Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders?
What Did Head Coach Todd Monken Say About the QB Role?
As per Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, “Todd Monken said QB reps won’t be divided evenly, even in the beginning, and first crack will be based on how things ended last year.”
“He wasn’t ready to say that will be Shedeur Sanders. But he later added it will change daily, fair competition,” she further added.
The coach has already declared open season on the starting role for the 2026 season. And while the QB had a mediocre rookie season, he's looking to return to his Colorado form.
After reverting to the number two he wore for the Buffaloes, Sanders is now in pole position to become the Browns' starting quarterback.
