A lot has been said about Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the wake of some of his recent statements (vocalized or pantomimed) to the media about his situation with the team. But one Super Bowl-winning head coach has a different take on the issue.
Appearing on Up & Adams, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and current consultant Bruce Arians was asked to weigh in on Sanders and some of his recent behaviors in media interviews. But rather than answer the question directly, Arians had a more poignant question: Why is Sanders being asked for his opinion at all?
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“Why is the 3rd quarterback getting interviews?” Arians asked. “He’s a heck of a personality, but the personality can’t come out until you do something on the field. It’s a big week for Dillon Gabriel and a big week for the Browns, making that transition.”
Adams agreed that it was unusual and Arians pointed out that the Browns should have their media relations people stop letting Sanders speak to the media altogether. As for the
“To me, there’s no sense to have him available (to the press); whoever’s running their media relations should turn that down,” he said.
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Earlier this week the Browns announced that rookie Dillon Gabriel would be getting the starting nod moving forward. Starter Joe Flacco would be moved to backup and Shedeur would stay at QB3.
Arians then gave his vote of approval to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for making the decision.
“[Sanders] looked good in that first (preseason) ball game, and he looked really, really bad in the second one. But we’re not in practice every day seeing why Dillon Gabriel is No. 2 and he’s No. 3, but I think Kevin Stefanski’s been around long enough to know.”
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the side line during the game against the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
State of the Browns
Through the first month of the season, Sanders has not seen the field for the Browns at all in spite of the team’s 1-3 start and total offensive ineptitude. The Browns’ offense ranks 31st in points and 27th in yards.
Nevertheless, Stefanski has balked at giving snaps to any QB other than Flacco. Gabriel has thrown four passes in two appearances this season, one of which went for a touchdown in garbage time against the Baltimore Ravens.
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It’s really not clear what the Browns’ plan is for Shedeur Sanders right now or even if he will be a part of their future.
It’s certainly possible that the idea is for Flacco to start the season while Gabriel and Sanders develop, then have the two QBs compete for the starting job in 2026. But if the season keeps going the way it has been, Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry may not be given the chance to see the plan through.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.