Shedeur Sanders addresses claims of Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski 'sabotaging' him
Shedeur Sanders has already shown enough to Cleveland Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski after six quarters of action to warrant a second consecutive start for the franchise, even after former starter Dillon Gabriel cleared the concussion protocol.
However, there are still a number of theories swirling around Berea in regards to why Stefanski didn’t make a quarterback change sooner in Cleveland.
This Wednesday, Shedeur Sanders was asked about rumors of Stefanski wanting to “sabotage” him, to which the fifth-round rookie responded in a classy manner.
“So, you just wanna start trouble”, answered Sanders automatically, forcing the reporter to pivot into a second question regarding his relationship with Cleveland’s head coach.
“What people do outside the building is really not in my control, in my power. So I don’t... You act like I go out there and tell them to do whatever, so that’s nothing I can control or nothing I can do. But overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski’s been coaching since I got here, and been doing a very good job, you know, with everything that’s been going on.”
When pressed further on his relationship with Stefanski, Sanders humbly answered, “Just like a coach. He tells me what to do on and off the field. And we’ve definitely grown. Our relationship and everything has grown, so I’m just thankful to be here.”
Before that exchange. Sanders expressed gratitude for his team and 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.
“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.
When asked about his first start at home, which will happen on Sunday against the Niners, Sanders was quick to express, “I feel like it’ll be very fun. You gotta understand right now I’m in grind mode. You know, mentally, understanding how to attack this defense that we’re going against and they’re a great team, they got great coaches and everything. But that’s where I am mentally right now.”
Despite the fact that we don’t know the specifics of why Stefanski chose to stick with Gabriel instead of giving Sanders an opportunity sooner -- and it might be a while before we get to know them, if we ever do -- it’s refreshing to see this attitude from the fifth-rounder.
While it’s easy to understand why pushing all that talk aside in order to focus on the task at hand is the best way to go, it would also be easy to get caught up in the moment and inadvertently create an unnecessary distraction at a critical point in his young career.
Sanders and the Browns host the 49ers at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at 1 p.m., local time, in search of their first back-to-back victories since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2023 season.
Blake Grupe Speaks Out After Saints' Surprising Release Following Struggling Season
The New Orleans Saints made a significant change on Tuesday.
After three seasons as the Saints' kicker, Blake Grupe is out. Grupe struggled this season and went 18-of-26 on field goals, including just 2-for-5 on kicks between 40 and 49 yards. His 69.2 percent accuracy this season on field goals is ranked 38th in the entire NFL. Only Joshua Karty is behind Grupe at 66.7 percent, although he has had just 15 opportunities.
Grupe was significantly better over the last two seasons. Last year, he drilled 87.1 percent of his field goal tries (27-of-31). Unfortunately, things didn't work out this season and now New Orleans is turning to Cade York in his place.
The Saints made a significant change
On Tuesday after the news came out, Grupe took to social media to thank Saints fans.
"Thank you New Orleans," Grupe wrote. "This organization took a chance on me and I’ve gave everything I had to them and this city every Sunday for these last 3 years. I’m thankful for all the coaches and players that have supported me along the way. Nobody wanted it to work more than me. Can’t wait for my next opportunity to prove what I can do. 1 Thessalonians 5:18."
Grupe was one of the Saints' captains this season. He's also not even the only former Saints captain to be gone. Brandin Cooks was named as one of the team's captains for the 2025 season as well, but the two sides went in a different direction and now he's a member of the Buffalo Bills. Erik McCoy is another captain who isn't taking the field with the team right now. He's still with New Orleans, but is injured.
It's been a long season so far. Problems in the kicking game helped to add to that. There's no way to know right now if York will be a long-term solution for the franchise, but the Saints are at least trying something new. It's unfortunate, but necessary after the season Grupe was having.
