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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made franchise history with his Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is keeping him in place as the team’s starter heading into this week.
There is, however, a group of Sanders fans who have said all season that Stefanski was “sabotageing” the Colorado product. Sanders says the opposite.
The Browns’ fifth-round pick was speaking to reporters when a reporter said, “All your fans say Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you.”
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Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns talks with Shedeur Sanders #12 before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“So, you just want to make trouble, huh?” Sanders responded during his press conference.
Although Dillon Gabriel, the rookie quarterback taken two rounds ahead of Sanders in April, was cleared to play this week after going into concussion protocol, Stefanski named Sanders as the Browns’ starter.
So after a follow-up question about Sanders’ relationship with his head coach, he emphasized how little the outside view of his situation in Cleveland mattered.
SHEDEUR SANDERS ‘THANKFUL’ FOR SUPPORT OF TRUMP AMID WILD START TO NFL CAREER
“What people do outside the building is not really in my control,” he responded. “It’s not in my power. So I don’t do it – you act like I’m going out there and telling them to do anything. You know, it’s not something I control or can do.
“Overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski has been coaching since I got here, and he’s done a great job with everything that’s going on.”
Sanders added that his relationship with Stefanski is “definitely like that of a coach,” which involves telling him “what I need to do, on and off the field.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns instructs Shedeur Sanders #12 during rookie mini-camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
“We’ve definitely grown – our relationship and everything has grown. So I’m just grateful to be here.”
Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback since 1999 to win his first career start after the 24-10 victory over the Raiders. He got his first career touchdown pass on the speed of rookie running back Dylan Sampson sprinting through the Las Vegas defense for a 66-yard catch-and-run score.
Sanders also showed great accuracy, finding rookie receiver Isaiah Bond for a 52-yard strike that would have been his first touchdown if not for a restricted tackle.
Sanders’ performance was a breath of fresh air for Cleveland fans, who saw the team pick up the team’s third win this season. Even President Donald Trump praised the young signal-caller.
“Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins his first game, start of his career, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great genes. I TOLD YOU SO!”
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Sanders acknowledged Trump’s support.
“I’m just grateful for him, even taking time out of his day to be able to speak out and be supportive,” he said, via 92.3 The Fan.
Sanders will face a tough San Francisco 49ers defense in his first career start at home in Cleveland.
