The Cleveland Browns are preparing to roll with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will make his second career start on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
It will also mark his first home start and his third NFL game overall after stepping in for Dillon Gabriel during the team’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Fans and analysts alike have been eager to see how Sanders performs under center, especially as the Browns continue to evaluate their quarterback situation.
Despite the excitement surrounding Sanders‘ emergence, former NFL evaluator John Middlekauff is concerned about Browns‘ head coach, Kevin Stefanski, and the ramifications of starting the rookie.
Stefanski decision under scrutiny
Speaking on his “3 & Out” podcast, Middlekauff said: “You see the video of Stefanski and Shedeur Sanders. Rookie making his first start at quarterback.
“Pretty easy one to go, ‘Give it up for Shedeur.’ So I’m on board with, yeah, a little weird,” Middlekauff said. He added that the reality of football, particularly when it comes to late-round draft picks, can complicate matters for a head coach.
“Guys drafted in the 5th, 6th, 7th round, the head coach might not even like that player. That might be the GM‘s pick. And, clearly, Stefanski drafted Dillon Gabriel.
“I can’t blame him for Shedeur Sanders-the rest of the league wasn’t touching him either. But, clearly, he doesn’t like him,” Middlekauff explained.
Middlekauff argued that even if Sanders succeeds on the field, it could create tension with the organization and lead to difficult consequences for Stefanski.
“I think this notion of like everyone going, ‘He’s not nice.’ It’s football. He doesn’t like him. He goes makes plays and everyone will shut up and Stefanski will be fired at the end of the year,” he said.
Sanders thrown in at the deep end
Sanders, a fifth-round selection, has been thrust into a high-pressure situation that few rookies experience so early in their careers.
Despite the challenges, the rookie has shown flashes of promise, which could make the Browns‘ next games crucial in determining the team’s long-term direction.
The upcoming matchup against the 49ers represents more than just a start, it is an opportunity to gain momentum and show he truly belongs in the NFL with the Browns.
The team and fans alike will be watching closely as Sanders looks to carve out a role in the league, while Stefanski must navigate the pressures that come with coaching decisions that may not align with the front office’s vision.
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