The Browns were inches away from forcing overtime against the Titans on Sunday - and maybe even stealing a much-needed win - but a controversial two-point conversion call in the final minute slammed the door shut. Instead of riding the hot hand of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who had been lighting it up all afternoon, Cleveland turned to a familiar wrinkle: the Wildcat.
Browns took Shedeur off the field for the game-tying 2PT conversion...
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 7, 2025
They did not get it.
(via @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/DbiylJcAKH
Freshman running back Quinshon Judkins took the direct snap, a look the Browns have used before in short-yardage situations. But this time, it backfired in the worst way.
Shedeur Sanders after Stefanski took him out the game for the 2-point try pic.twitter.com/VUJ0OJdtVc
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 7, 2025
Judkins hesitated, appeared to miss a pitch opportunity, and ultimately floated a pass that landed directly in the arms of a Titans defender. Game over.
Kevin Stefanski literally just watched Shedeur Sanders execute 2 clutch td drives and took him off the field with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/FYyJKxcqOS
— No Hands Nation (@SpeedDe86282699) December 7, 2025
Tennessee walked away with a 31-29 win, and Cleveland walked off the field with more questions than answers.
Let’s be clear - this wasn’t the first time head coach Kevin Stefanski has dialed up this kind of play. Just two weeks ago against the Raiders, the Browns ran a similar goal-line Wildcat and it worked.
SHEDEUR TO FANNIN FOR THE CLUTCH TD -- THEN STEFANSKI TAKES SHEDEUR OUT FOR THE WILDCAT -- DISASTER. STEFANSKI BLOWS ANOTHER GAME. HE JUST COULDN'T STAND SEEING SHEDEUR TIE THE GAME WITH A 2-POINT CONVERSION AFTER SUCH A GREAT LONG TD DRIVE. FIRE STEFANSKI!
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 7, 2025
But context matters. On Sunday, Sanders was in rhythm, confident, and clearly in control of the offense.
Pulling him in that moment - with the game on the line - was a decision that left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
And it’s not hard to see why. Sanders was stellar.
The fifth-round rookie, making just his third career start, threw for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He looked poised, accurate, and unafraid to take shots downfield.
In other words, he looked like the guy you want with the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
Browns removing Shedeur constantly on goal 2 go situations and going wildcat needs 2 be studied. Played his butt off and the most important snap. He’s on the SL. That’s bulljive. #Nflfootballsunday #TitansBrowns
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 7, 2025
After the game, Stefanski took responsibility for the call. “That’s on me,” he told reporters, acknowledging the decision to take Sanders off the field in such a critical spot. Sanders, for his part, handled the moment with maturity beyond his years.
“If I’m out there any play, you know I wish I would always have the ball in my hands,” Sanders said. “But that’s not what football is.
Kevin Stefanski showing he’s overrated every week. Shedeur Sanders cooked today and he’s not on the field for a 2 point conversion to tie the game?
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) December 7, 2025
Direct snap to the RB? Really? pic.twitter.com/0qsBXGfKhX
Sometimes you gotta run the ball. Sometimes you gotta kick a field goal.
Incredible decision by Kevin Stefanski & the #Browns staff to yank Shedeur Sanders (who threw for a touch under 400 yards) off the field following two TD drives to run whatever the hell play this was to tie the game lmao. pic.twitter.com/ztMSLb5M5A
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) December 7, 2025
That’s the game. The most important thing is the ball.”
He didn’t throw anyone under the bus. He didn’t question the play call.
Kevin Stefanski pulls Shedeur Sanders for the 2pt conversion after his 4 TD day… pic.twitter.com/FsxeCNs6xQ
— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) December 7, 2025
He simply acknowledged that the team had practiced the Wildcat look, executed it well in the past, and it just didn’t come together this time. That’s the kind of leadership you want from your quarterback - especially a rookie.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the what-ifs. What if Sanders had stayed in the game?
What if the Browns had trusted their young quarterback to make one more play? Based on the way he played for the previous 59 minutes, it’s a fair question.
#Browns pulled Shedeur Sanders off the field for the 2-point conversion… and, well, yeah. pic.twitter.com/0fAFCUFFCe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 7, 2025
Instead, the Browns are now left to regroup after a tough loss that could’ve gone the other way. Sanders continues to show promise, and if his performance on Sunday is any indication, Cleveland may have found something real under center. The next test comes in Chicago, where Sanders and the Browns will try to bounce back against the Bears.
One thing’s for sure: if the game is on the line again, the call to keep Sanders on the field might not be so tough the next time around.