Shedeur Sanders finally has a real opportunity in Cleveland, and with that opportunity has come plenty of outside noise.
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Some Browns fans are convinced he spent months buried on the depth chart because head coach Kevin Stefanski never wanted him in the first place.
Sanders was asked about that theory on Wednesday as he prepares for his second career NFL start, and he handled it with a mix of humor and honesty.
Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald asked Sanders directly about the narrative that Stefanski was "sabotaging" him. Sanders smiled before batting the idea away.
"So you just want to start trouble, huh?" Sanders said. "What people do outside the building really isn't in my control. It's not in my power. You act like I can go out there and tell them to do whatever. That's nothing I can control or do. Overall, I'm just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski's been coaching since I got here, and he's been doing a very great job with everything that's going on."
When asked to describe his relationship with Stefanski, Sanders kept it straightforward.
"Definitely like a coach," he said. "He tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We've definitely grown. Our relationship and everything has grown, so I'm just thankful to be here."
Conspiracy theorists say #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was purposely "sabotaging" Shedeur Sanders the first nine weeks of the season. Sanders addressed those charges Wednesday ahead of his start against the #49ers Sunday. pic.twitter.com/EompYe0ksL
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) November 26, 2025
The Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and grabbed Sanders in the fifth after his surprising slide down the board. That dynamic alone fueled speculation that Stefanski preferred Gabriel and that the front office pushed for Sanders. When Sanders flashed in the preseason yet remained locked into a backup role, the chatter only got louder.
Now the rookie has the job after Gabriel's concussion. He struggled in relief against Baltimore, going 4-for-16 for 47 yards and an interception, but responded with 209 yards, a touchdown and a win over the Raiders in his first start. The Browns are 3-8 and drifting toward another missed postseason, which has led to talk about Stefanski's future as well.
How that affects Sanders moving forward remains to be seen. For now, he's choosing to ignore the noise and focus on stacking starts rather than storylines.
