Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Makes Feelings Clear on Kevin Stefanski
A lot has been made of the relationship between Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. But the rookie passer insists that his relationship with the Browns’ skipper is good.
Supporters have said that Stefanski has a vendetta of sorts against him, favoring fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel — the former Browns starter who is now benched. Sanders did not entertain a question about Stefanski “sabotaging” him.
“So, you just want to start trouble, huh?” he responded.
Sanders’ path is uncommon. Until joining the Browns as a fifth-round selection, he’d only ever been coached by his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders. He elaborated this week on how his connection with Stefanski has developed since arriving in Cleveland.
“Definitely like a coach. He tells me what I need to do on and off the field,” Sanders said. “We’ve definitely grown, our relationship and everything has grown, so I’m just thankful to be here.”
Shedeur Sanders: No Control Over Stefanski Criticism
Sanders also made it clear that he’s not issuing directives to those who have called out Stefanski.
“Well, what people do outside the building isn’t really in my control. It’s not in my power,” Sanders said. “You act, like, I go out there and tell them to do whatever, you know. That’s nothing I can control or nothing I could do. But overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski been coaching since I got here, and he’s been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on.”
Sanders picked up a win in his starting debut, helping the Browns down the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 in Week 12. Sanders passed for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Raiders.
“What we appreciate about all of our players is authenticity. He’s the same guy every single day. Obviously, on game day, there’s a juice that comes with that, there’s an excitement that comes with that,” Stefanski said. “But he’s played that position for a long time, he knows how to make sure he keeps the main thing, the main thing.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Not Satisfied
Sanders was filling in for Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion and wasn’t cleared for the game. The Browns have decided to stick with Sanders this week against the San Francisco 49ers. But he’s not getting comfortable.
“I’d say I’m definitely not comfortable, though. So that’s first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there. But in life, you gotta understand how quickly things come or how long it comes,” Sanders said. “It could be taken at any point in time. So, I’m never comfortable in the situation I’m in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow. You know, in each and every week, I will want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there.”
The Browns are a 4.5-point underdog at home against the 49ers for Sunday’s matchup at Huntington Bank Field.
The Bryce Young Experiment Is Over: Panthers Need a New QB to Compete
As the Carolina Panthers approach the final stretch of the 2025 season, the future of their franchise has never looked brighter. Sitting at .500 with a 6–6 record, this team has shown considerable improvement, especially on defense under the direction of coordinator Ejiro Evero. Young playmakers such as rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan and free-agent acquisition Rico Dowdle are flashing potential, and the defense has made significant strides from last season’s dismal performance.
However, one glaring issue remains—quarterback Bryce Young. Despite the positive signs surrounding the rest of the roster, Young’s inconsistencies and troubling performance are holding the Panthers back from taking the next step. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the expectations were sky-high for Young to be the face of Carolina’s future. But with every passing week, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Panthers need to make a tough but necessary decision: it’s time to move on from Bryce Young.
The Case Against Bryce Young
In Carolina's 20–9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Young’s struggles were on full display. Despite the defense generating three first-half interceptions, Young managed to turn those turnovers into just three points, including a disastrous interception thrown from the 49ers' 1-yard line. His final stat line—18-of-29 for 169 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions—paints a picture of a quarterback who simply isn’t delivering when it matters most. While Young did have a moment of brilliance, throwing a 29-yard touchdown to McMillan late in the third quarter, his overall performance left much to be desired.
But what makes the situation even more troubling is that Young's numbers on the season tell an even bleaker story. In 11 starts prior to Monday night, Young has thrown for just 1,673 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His average of 5.6 yards per attempt is among the worst in the NFL, and his poor decision-making continues to cost his team in crucial moments. While he dazzled in a Week 11 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons with 448 passing yards and three touchdowns, that game was the exception, not the rule. In his other starts, Young has been consistently inefficient and turnover-prone, ranking dead last in key quarterback metrics like EPA (Expected Points Added) and success rate.
Panthers’ Playmakers Deserve Better
The Panthers' roster is filled with young talent that is primed to take a leap. The defense, once the worst in the league, has become a middle-of-the-pack unit under Evero's leadership. Dowdle has rushed for over 870 yards, and McMillan has been an immediate impact player, leading all rookies in receiving yards with 783. The offensive line, though still a work in progress, has improved, with the biggest issue now being pass protection, as they rank 27th in pressure rate allowed (38.4%).
But none of this matters if the Panthers can’t get consistent play at quarterback. Head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan have invested too much time and resources into this rebuild to see it held back by poor quarterback play. The Panthers’ playoff aspirations—let alone any hopes of long-term success—are in jeopardy if Young’s struggles continue.
Time for a Change
As Carolina prepares for the future, the front office has a decision to make: should they stick with Young or look elsewhere? With the Panthers having their full complement of draft picks and no long-term financial commitments to Young—unlike the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa or the Cardinals with Kyler Murray—the timing is right for the franchise to pivot.
The Panthers need to act quickly. There are several promising quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft, including Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, Dante Moore of Oregon, and Ty Simpson of Alabama, any of whom could help take this team to the next level. If one of them is available when the Panthers pick, they should pull the trigger without hesitation.
The best news for the Panthers is that they’re not locked into a regrettable long-term deal with Young. Carolina can part ways with the 2023 No. 1 overall pick without being financially burdened, and in doing so, they open the door for a brighter future. The defense is already on the rise, and with the right quarterback under center, the Panthers have the potential to compete in the NFC South for years to come.
The Future of the Panthers
For the Panthers to realize their full potential, they need a quarterback who can lead this team to victory consistently. It’s clear that Young has not developed into that player, and with the future so promising elsewhere on the roster, Carolina can no longer afford to wait for him to find his rhythm. The Panthers must take this opportunity to turn the page and invest in their next quarterback.
The team is ready to compete now—it's time for the quarterback to match that ambition. If Carolina can find the right leader under center, the Panthers could be on the verge of a new era of success.
