The Cleveland Browns finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record, starting multiple quarterbacks across the year. Shedeur Sanders took over from Dillon Gabriel in Week 12 and made seven starts, showing flashes of promise before earning a Pro Bowl selection to close out his rookie year. Yet one prominent NFL voice has seen enough, and his verdict is blunt.
Daniel Kelly Urges Browns to Cut Shedeur Sanders Immediately
Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly posted on X on March 1, 2026, urging the Browns to release Sanders as fast as possible. Kellywrote:
“If the Browns have any hope of contending in 2026, the best move they can make is to release Shedeur Sanders as quickly as humanly possible.”
His case rests on the rookie’s season numbers. Sanders, selected in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards across seven starts. He threw seven touchdowns against ten interceptions, posting an ESPN QBR of 18.9, the second-lowest recorded in the past 20 NFL seasons.
"Dump Him ASAP": Former Jets Scout Sends Harsh Warning Over Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
“Dump Him ASAP”: Former Jets Scout Sends Harsh Warning Over Browns QB Shedeur Sanders (Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
Kelly went beyond the numbers, arguing Sanders generated unnecessary off-field media distractions even as a backup. He had publicly labeled Sanders “undraftable” before the draft, pointing to concerns over decision-making and processing speed. The 2025 season, Kelly insists, proved every doubt correct.
The pressure on Cleveland’s front office is now growing from every direction, and the coaching staff has its own serious decisions to make.
New head coach Todd Monken, who replaced the fired Kevin Stefanski, must now run his own quarterback evaluation from scratch. GM Andrew Berry has confirmed the Browns will hold an open competition, with Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson, who missed all of 2025 rehabilitating a torn Achilles in the final playing year of his $230 million deal, all in the mix.
However, Kelly’s post did not go unanswered, the post spread quickly across social media and the response from fans was sharp.
Fans Push Back on Daniel Kelly After Sanders Post
Fans made their feelings known immediately.
One person commented, “Did you watch Shedeur play last year at all? He played good with no playmakers around him and a sub par o-line. He also got no first team reps in practice during training camp. I can’t wait until he proves all the naysayers wrong this season!!”
A secondadded, “I still need to see him get a real chance. If he plays like ass in 2026 then you’re right.”
A thirdwrote, “You are still chasing relevance! Nobody listens to you. Instead of trashing Sheduer, focus on your own career so you won’t be stuck just being a “former” scout hustling for clicks. Respect yourself more than that, Dan! Believe in yourself. Focus on y craourft so you can get a job.”
Anotherquipped, “Thank God your not a Scout for the Browns. I hope you’re not a Scout for any team . Former Scout fits you perfectly”
One usersaid, “How has Sanders been a distraction for the Cleveland Browns when HC Kevin Stefaski treated him like trash. He never said a word give me two ways that he has caused problems besides, your hatred for him for no reason.”
Cleveland heads into the 2026 offseason holding six picks in the first round, ten total selections, and serious decisions at quarterback. The NFL Draft in late April gives the Browns a genuine chance to reshape the position, but first, Monken must decide what he has in Sanders before that window opens.