"That seems like a normal thing": NFL analyst takes aim at Kevin Stefanski for refusing to take Shedeur Sanders' name in Browns pressers

NFL analysts Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer have called out Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for not naming Shedeur Sanders in his press conferences. Rizzo and Goldhammer co-host the “Really Big Show” on ESPN Cleveland, where on Thursday, they tried making sense of the alleged silence surrounding the Browns.

According to Rizzo, Stefanski hasn't called Sanders by name in at least his last eight press interviews. Goldhammer responded sarcastically to the claim:

“Yeah, that's normal. That seems like a normal healthy thing going on in the building.”

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However, he quickly added:

“Some of this veil of secrecy, the mystery surrounding the team, and Shedeur and the quarterback situation, the press conferences being just painful, that's also not helping the whole situation.”

Rizzo continued, comparing Stefanski's attitude to Bill Belichick's. He said:

“Stefanski is just Belichick with a better press agent; just as evasive; doesn't give you any information. He's just a younger, nicer looking guy who does it in a more respectful way.”

There has been growing frustrations with the treatment being meted out to Shedeur Sanders by the Cleveland Browns. After overlooking the rookie for a starting position, preferring 40-year-old Joe Flacco, many expected Stefanski to give him playing opportunities with Flacco's departure.

However, the fifth-round pick hasn't played a snap yet for the Browns this campaign, as Stefanski keeps dodging an explanation as to why. Dillon Gabriel, who Stefanski has trusted to lead the Browns’ offense hasn't delivered any convincing performance to warrant retaining the role ahead of Sanders.

Analyst claims the Browns are uneager to test Shedeur Sanders

Dillon Gabriel is 1-4 as a starter for the Browns, with Shedeur Sanders behind him in the depth chart. Contrary to what many have been clamoring for, the Browns are not ready to trust Sanders with the starting job, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

He said:

“Coming out of the Week 9 bye, the Browns' plan was to give Dillon Gabriel a fairly long runway of games to evaluate what they have in him. But as we see with young quarterbacks and teams in transition all the time, those plans can change. The public pressure in Cleveland is mounting. But I simply haven't sensed that the Browns have been eager to turn to Shedeur Sanders.”

The Browns are set to face an in-form Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with Gabriel expected to lead their offense again.

Edited by Kayode Akinwumi