Shedeur Sanders calls out media over strained relationship with Kevin Stefanski narrative ahead of Browns vs. Bengals Week 18 game

Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders will start the final game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The Browns, who are 4-12 for the season have been rumored to be pondering about firing coach Kevin Stefanski after the season finale. When Sanders was asked about his relationship and Stefanski's future, the rookie quarterback called out the media for creating external noise.

“I don’t think we listen to the external stuff. He’s our coach,” Sanders said. “We view him as the same as we view him the first week. You know, we got the utmost respect for him. And yeah, I think that’s more media stuff, that’s more outside noise than, I mean, half of us don’t know if we gonna be here next year, you know what I’m saying? “So, it’s like we don’t really look at that. You know, we play for the franchise, we play for our coaches, we play for the names on the front and back of our jersey. So, it’s more than just like stuff that’s just online.”

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Stefanski has managed just seven wins since the start of last season and his handling of the quarterback room, including Sanders, has contributed to the rumors of his departure from Cleveland.

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders "thankful" for 2025 season

While Shedeur Sanders had to wait until November to make his NFL debut, the former Colorado Buffaloes star is "thankful" for getting a chance with the Browns.

“I’ll say I’m truly thankful. I’m thankful that I was able to come here,” Sanders said. “I’m thankful that I do have a relationship with all the coaches. I’m thankful that just evolving from day one, evolving from being a ‘hungry dawg’ to now, it’s exciting. “And sometimes I think about those days, so I don’t take anything for granted. I think overall, the communication with the coaches and everything been really good, and I’m just thankful to just be here in general.”

Sanders has won two of his first six NFL starts, with his last win coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash