Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit expressed his support for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders following his first career start. The fifth-year defensive back praised his impressive debut performance that broke the team’s three-game losing streak.
Grant Delpit Confident in Shedeur Sanders' Leadership
Grant Delpit Confident in Shedeur Sanders’ Leadership (Image Via Instagram/@shedeursanders)
But Raiders were not a prominent opponent, as they entered the game with the same 2-8 record. In that case, Sanders needs to upgrade his game before facing the 49ers next week. But Delpit urged him not to change.
Grant Delpit Confident in Shedeur Sanders’ Leadership
Delpit opened up about Sanders after Cleveland’s 24-10 victory over the Raiders.The safety acknowledged the unique presence Sanders brings to the locker room.
The signal-caller threw for 209 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-20 passing in his first start. His impressive outing marked the first time a Cleveland quarterback won his debut start in three decades.
Delpit highlighted the massive following Sanders has cultivated throughout his football journey. He recognized that the quarterback carries a different kind of star power into the facility.
“I think that dude, Shedeur got like, a crazy fan base,” Delpit said. “He got the spark, the stardom and all that. He’s popping right now. I tell him to keep popping it, keep doing what he’s doing, and we’ve got him on defense. So we’re going to get you the ball back. So keep running the energy man, cause we need it.”
#Browns S Grant Delpit on Shedeur Sanders reenergizing the team:
“Man, Shedeur’s got a crazy fan base. the stardom, everything. He’s popping it right now. I tell him to keep popping it, keep doing what he’s doing, and we’ve got him on defense.” pic.twitter.com/XmbdnhSElH
— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) November 26, 2025
The safety made it clear the defense will do their part. He told Sanders to keep bringing the Boulder energy while they focus on creating opportunities on their side of the ball.
Sanders entered the season as the fourth quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Browns picked him with the 144th overall pick in the draft. Probably due to his late-round status, he didn’t receive a single first-team rep throughout training camp.
The franchise later traded Flacco to Bengals and released Pickett. Gabriel took over as the starter with Sanders moving into the QB2 role.
And the latest is that head coach Kevin Stefanski named him the starter even after Gabriel cleared concussion protocol. It seems like the coach is forcing his mind to keep faith in his rookie.
The best part? Sanders himself dismissed the rumor of tension between him and his coach.
Shedeur Sanders Shuts Down Speculation About Coach Tensions
The Browns appeared united behind their rookie signal-caller heading into Week 13 against the 49ers. However, outside noise suggested tension between Sanders and the coaching staff.
Reports surfaced that Stefanski was trying to “sabotage” Sanders’ career based on his lack of first-team practice reps early in the season. Sanders addressed these questions during the recent Wednesday presser.
The quarterback dismissed the lame noises about his relationship with the coach. “What people do outside the building isn’t really in my control,” Sanders told ABC6.
He added, “Coach Stefanski, he’s been coaching since I got here, and we’ve been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on. He tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We’ve definitely grown, our relationship and everything has grown.”
Shedeur on fans saying that Stefanski is sabotaging him:
“What people do outside the building isn’t really in my control.. But, overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski, been coaching, since I got here, and been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on.”
— Coop (Justin Cooper) (@JJCoop25) November 26, 2025
Even after winning his first start, Sanders said he is “not comfortable” heading into his second. The rookie emphasized that his connection with the first-team offense is improving as he gets more consistent reps with the starters.
Cleveland has struggled to find stability at the position since returning to the league in 1999, with Sanders becoming the 42nd different starter in that long span.
It’s too early to make hope, but the team is betting on their fifth-round pick to build on his promising debut and keep the momentum rolling forward.