Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision in the team’s final preseason game is facing a lot of negative press.
Stefanski is facing criticism from former NFL stars over his treatment of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Shannon Sharpe, and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson have publicly accused Stefanski and the Browns organization of undermining Sanders’ development.
Houshmandzadeh, appearing on the Nightcap podcast, expressed his concerns about the Browns’ handling of Sanders, stating that the team is “trying to break him” by giving him limited opportunities and not providing the necessary support for his growth.
Sharpe and Johnson echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Browns for listing Sanders as the fourth-string quarterback on their unofficial depth chart, despite several injuries in their QB lineup. They argued that Sanders has not received a fair opportunity to compete, suggesting the organization is trying to “break” him through poor treatment.
The criticism comes amid an up and down preseason for Sanders, who was a projected first round selection who fell into the fifth round who has faced challenges in securing a starting role on the team, such as his stellar performance in the Browns 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
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Despite his potential, the Browns’ decision to add veteran quarterbacks and their handling of Sanders’ position have raised questions about the team’s commitment to developing their young talent. As the Browns organization has been cited for mishandling other young quarterbacks in the past like Baker Mayfield and Johnny Manziel.
As the regular season approaches, the spotlight remains on Stefanski and the Browns’ quarterback situation. The handling of Sanders could have long-term implications for the team’s success and its reputation among former players, analysts, and fans alike.
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