A Cleveland Browns press conference took an unexpected turn when a veteran reporter brought up theories about the team’s handling of its rookie quarterback. The exchange highlighted tensions that have simmered beneath the surface for months as fans watched Shedeur Sanders remain on the sidelines.
Shedeur Sanders Confronts reporter over Kevin Stefanski sabotage question (Image via X/Rob_Shenanigans)
Shedeur Sanders Confronts reporter over Kevin Stefanski sabotage question (Image via X/Rob_Shenanigans)
What happened next revealed how Sanders navigates difficult questions while maintaining his relationship with the coaching staff.
Shedeur Sanders confronts reporter over Kevin Stefanski sabotage question
Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald opened his question on November 26 by saying, “Hey, Shedeur, not from you, but all your supporters out there say that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you”. The rookie quarterback didn’t let the question slide.
“So you just want to start trouble, huh?” Sandersresponded. Short, direct and clear.
Jeff Schudel coming in hot: “All your supporters out there say that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you…” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OLcwz7Hx5G
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) November 26, 2025
Schudel followed up by clarifying, “No, I want to ask you what your relationship with him is”. This prompted Sanders to address both the rumors and his connection with Cleveland’s head coach.
“What people do outside the building really isn’t in my control. It’s not in my power, so I don’t… you act like I can go out there and tell them to do whatever,” Sanders explained. He made clear that fan theories don’t influence what happens inside the Browns facility.
Sanders then shifted to a more positive message. “Overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski’s been coaching since I got here, and he’s been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on,” he stated during the press conference.
When asked specifically about his relationship with Stefanski, Sanders replied, “Definitely like a coach, he tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We’ve definitely grown. Our relationship and everything has grown, so I’m just thankful to be here”.
The concept that Stefanski was hindering Sanders’s development was kept in the dark corners of the fandom until recently, but it wasn’t just limited to comment sections. Cam Newton gave an entire spiel on ESPN, suggesting Stefanski wasn’t invested in Sanders’s success.
Before the exchange with Schudel, Sanders expressed gratitude for his teammates, stating, “I always wish the best and I do everything I can for this team and for everybody. I got a great defense got a great team, got a great receiver, so, I’m just thankful”.
He also emphasized the importance of belief within the locker room: “It’s about belief. The reason why I’m so confident in the way I am is the guys around believe. So that’s what’s most important… You gotta have guys that believe. And I’m fully confident myself through everything, and I’m confident in my team, and I’m sure they’re confident in me, also”.
Sanders earned his first career NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Browns won 24 to 10, and Sanders became the third starting quarterback the Browns had this season after Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.