In a recent episode of the "Pardon My Take" podcast, current Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski shed light on his brief but memorable time with Shedeur Sanders during their stint with the Cleveland Browns. Stefanski, who was at the helm last year, faced criticism for not giving Sanders first-team reps, which some saw as "sabotaging" the rookie quarterback.
Reflecting on their relationship, Stefanski expressed genuine admiration for Sanders. "I love Shedeur.
Coaching him was a pleasure. He's got the right makeup for this game," Stefanski shared.
"I wish we had more wins, but he showed growth as the season progressed. He's a young player on the rise."
There were persistent rumors that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam or GM Andrew Berry pressured Stefanski into playing Sanders. These whispers grew louder as Sanders remained behind Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart for much of the season.
Despite a challenging 3-4 record in seven starts, Sanders struggled statistically, ranking among the lower-tier QB1s of the 2025 season. As the Browns transition under new head coach Todd Monken, Sanders is set to compete with Deshaun Watson and another incoming quarterback for the starting role.
Even though their paths have diverged, Stefanski remains a supporter of Sanders. "I'm not coaching him anymore, so I have to be cautious about discussing other players, but I'm rooting for him," Stefanski remarked.
As for Stefanski's current situation in Atlanta, there's uncertainty about whether Michael Penix Jr. will secure the franchise quarterback role. Should Penix falter and the Browns decide to pivot at quarterback, a future reunion between Stefanski and Sanders isn't entirely out of the question.