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Following the Cleveland Browns‘ Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, calls for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders grew even louder. However, the message relayed about Sanders on Monday by Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski certainly doesn’t bode all that well for his chances of seeing the field anytime soon. Browns starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel again struggled to provide a spark for the Cleveland offense, throwing for just 156 yards while also throwing two interceptions in the 32-13 loss. Sitting at 2-6 on the season with the second-worst offense in all of football in yards per game offensively, there is a clear argument that some kind of change at the quarterback position would seemingly do some good for the Browns. At the very least, if Cleveland were to go to Sanders, they would at least get a chance to see what he can do. Instead, the Browns will be sticking with Gabriel after their Week 9 bye, heading into a Week 10 game against the New York Jets, a decision that Stefanski further defended on Monday when speaking with reporters. CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field on October 19, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) More news: Sports Doctor Shares Positive Prediction on Giants’ Cam Skattebo’s Injury When asked directly by Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot why he hasn’t given Sanders a chance yet as the starter, Stefanski responded bluntly, saying that Sanders getting a chance to play is “not his focus”. “Obviously, my focus is where we are right now, Mary Kay,” said Stefanski, responding to the question about Shedeur Sanders. “That’s not my focus.” #Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Shedeur Sanders’ back injury and why not play the kid with the offense in the tank pic.twitter.com/4oqmvdlm0h— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 27, 2025 More news: Browns’ Myles Garrett Dealt Harsh Criticism After Sideline Outburst Stefanski’s focus is clearly on putting the best team he possibly can on the field and giving the Browns the best chance to win each and every week, schematically, not to give Sanders experience under center. With that being said, one could certainly argue that Gabriel hasn’t done much to show that he does give the Browns all that great of a chance to win on a weekly basis. Maybe Stefanski will have a change of heart at some point and give Sanders the opportunity a significant portion of Browns fans want to see him get. For the time being, however, it sure seems like Stefanski is incredibly reluctant to make that move, which only casts more doubt on whether Sanders will even get a chance to start this season. For more on the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders, and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
