'Coach Kev has been real tough': Shedeur Sanders gets honest on relationship with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski

'Coach Kev has been real tough': Shedeur Sanders gets honest on relationship with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Shedeur Sanders had to earn every opportunity he got with the Cleveland Browns this year.

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The fifth-round pick was the second quarterback drafted by the club, behind Dillon Gabriel this past April. The celebrity rookie was jettisoned to a separate practice field during training camp, while Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett got first or second team reps.

Only a concussion to Gabriel in Week 10 gave Sanders a chance to get under center. The Colorado Buffalo alum started the remaining seven games. Kevin Stefanski handed nothing to him, which resulted in some of Sanders' rabid fanbase accusing the head coach of treating him unfairly.

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After leading a game winning field goal drive Sunday in Cincinnati, Sanders shared details on his relationship with his head coach.

"I learned a lot from him...we grew to understand eachother," he explained. Through conversations with his coach, Sanders knew how much finishing this difficult season with a win meant to Stefanski. "I know he wanted this one, he wants every win, but I know this one meant a lot."

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The question now is whether Stefanski will still be the Browns sideline boss moving forward or will the franchise go in a different direction. Regardless, it seems like Sanders has done enough to compete for the starting QB job in 2026.

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