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Cleveland Browns will be looking for another head coach after handing Kevin Stefanski the ax on Black Monday after six seasons at the club.
Sheader Sanders, the rookie cornerback who fans believed was being held back by Stefanski, spoke about his move Monday as he and the rest of his Browns teammates head into the offseason.
“We just found out about this a couple of seconds ago,” Sanders said when asked by reporters what he thought of the news, according to the report. New York Post. “I think it’s just the mentality, things happen, that’s the league.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski walks down the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on January 4, 2026. (Jeff Dean/AP Photo)
“And moving forward, just focus on what we can improve individually for the next head coach.”
That was a fairly generic response from Sanders, whom Stefanski made the starting quarterback for the remaining seven games of the Browns' dismal 5-12 season.
Sanders comes under scrutiny second, he was a fifth-round pick by the Browns, especially since he was widely considered a first-round pick last April. That obviously didn't happen, and his draft numbers plummeted while teams, including his own, took quarterbacks before him.
KEVIN STEFANSKI HAS PROMOTED BROWNS HEAD COACH AFTER SIX SEASONS
Throughout training camp and even into the regular season, many speculated that the Browns weren't giving Sanders a chance to earn the right start at center, and fingers began to point at the head coach.
Stefanski's role in Sanders' rookie season has been a rollercoaster, at least in the public eye. But Sanders mentioned that he and Stefanski “started to understand each other” when they worked together in their first season.
Shedaire Sanders of the Cleveland Browns performs the national anthem before the 2025 NFL preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 8, 2025 in Charlotte. (Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
“We shared different things that we both went through,” Sanders explained. “I know he wanted this win and I know he wants every win, but I know this win means a lot.”
“I wish we could all play as a team,” he continued. “And I wish we could have done more on a personal level over the last year.”
The Browns were able to win their final game of the 2025 season, 20–18 over the Cincinnati Bengals, as Sanders threw for 11 yards on 11-of-22 passing for the loss.
“I think I did what I could and I definitely grew from a lot of things,” Sanders said, reflecting on his freshman campaign.
The season began with Stefanski firmly declaring veteran Joe Flacco the starting quarterback, even though Sanders and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel were also on the roster. Kenny Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, making the battle between Sanders and Gabriel as Flacco's backup one of the biggest storylines of the summer.
Sheader Sanders (12) and Teven Jenkins (74) of the Cleveland Browns celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)
Stefanski ultimately selected Gabriel, who ended up starting six games after Flacco was traded to the Bengals midseason. Gabriel was just 1-5 in those starts, and after suffering a concussion, Sanders was next in line to try his hand at a starting role.
He won his first start against the Raiders and went 3-4 overall in seven starts. Sanders threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 56.6% of his throws.
The Browns won't commit to Sanders or any quarterback in 2026 because they want to solidify their next head coach and let that person decide what's best for the franchise. Cleveland also has Deshaun Watson under contract through next season, and general manager Andrew Berry says they expect the fire-ready signal-caller to be with the team heading into the 2026 campaign.
“I won't go into detail. We have a lot of work to do on our roster, especially on offense,” Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Monday.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Sheader Sanders speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)
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Meanwhile, Stefanski may be back on his feet and taking head coaching jobs elsewhere in the NFL. ESPN reports The New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans are expected to invite him to discuss their head coaching vacancy.
Stefanski was a two-time Coach of the Year with the Browns and helped lead the team to two playoff appearances in his six years with the team (2020, 2023). He went 45-56 in 101 games with the franchise.
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