Cam Newton Raises Concerns Over Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski’s Support for Shedeur Sanders

Cam Newton Raises Concerns Over Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski’s Support for Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders made his much-anticipated regular-season debut with the Cleveland Browns during their 23-17 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, the performance fell short of expectations for the young quarterback as he struggled in his first real opportunity in the NFL.

In his debut, Sanders completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards. He faced relentless pressure, suffering two sacks and throwing one interception. The Ravens secured their victory when tight end Mark Andrews scored a rushing touchdown late in the game.

Sanders openly criticized his performance post-game, acknowledging the need for improvement. However, former NFL quarterback Cam Newton weighed in, asserting that this game only reinforced ongoing concerns he has regarding head coach Kevin Stefanski’s commitment to Sanders’ success.

Newton expressed his stance on ESPN’s “First Take.” He stated, “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I do not think Kevin Stefanski wants Shedeur Sanders to succeed in Cleveland. The reason being is, don’t tell me what he said, don’t tell me what he’s saying. I’m going off of actions – alright? Let’s go off actions.”

Newton elaborated on his belief that if he were in Sanders’ position or a fan of the young quarterback, he would be concerned about the situation in Cleveland. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Deshaun Watson or Dillon Gabriel or even me, Cam Newton. You need help in Cleveland. When you have a quarterback that’s still making $46 million on your roster and he’s not healthy, that impacts the talent around him. They are not a good team,” Newton said.

The Browns’ Ongoing Quarterback Woes

The Browns currently sit at 2-8 this season, marking an ongoing struggle for the franchise. Notably, Sanders’ entry into the game represented the third different quarterback change since the regular season commenced. Initially, veteran journeyman Joe Flacco led the offense, but he was benched, making way for rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Following Flacco’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals, Gabriel stepped in as the full-time starter with Sanders as his backup. Gabriel has also experienced challenges, completing 7 of 10 passes for 68 yards without any touchdowns or interceptions in the game against Baltimore. It was during this struggle that Stefanski turned to Sanders after Gabriel suffered a concussion.

Assessing Sanders’ Potential

Newton voiced deep concerns about Sanders potentially being set up for failure, criticizing the lack of adequate preparation provided to the young quarterback. He stressed that Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, deserves better chances to establish himself in the league.

“This is the thing that really irks me the most because [Sanders] doesn’t get any reps,” Newton lamented. “Circa 2015, during my MVP season, having a seasoned veteran in Derek Anderson as a backup was one of the best experiences of my career. Coaches understood they needed to prepare their players for any situation, not just for the current starter.”

Sanders echoed this sentiment during his post-game press conference, expressing dissatisfaction with his performance while also acknowledging the need for improvement. “I don’t think I played good. I believe there are many aspects of our game we need to review this week, including getting in sync with my teammates, especially with playmakers like Jerry Jeudy,” he stated. “I think that was my first ball to him all year. We need to work on it. We’ll have a week to get ready for what I like to do.”

Confidence Amidst Adversity

Despite a challenging debut and recent hurdles, Sanders remains optimistic about the future. He emphasized that his confidence has not wavered as the Browns prepare for their next matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I still have the same confidence. I’m still me,” Sanders remarked. “I’ll never go anywhere. Going out there and seeing daylight was all I needed to understand how the defense operates. Facing a great defense with Pro Bowl caliber players, it’s exhilarating. This was my first taste of it, and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to build on my experiences.”

Looking Ahead to the Raiders Game

As the Browns face the Raiders next week, head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to announce who will start as quarterback. Speculation surrounds the decision, with fans and analysts eager to see if Sanders will get another chance or if the coaching staff will pivot to a different strategy.

The Browns’ quarterback situation remains a point of interest as they strive to turn around their season. Given the team’s struggles, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain fixed on the coaching decisions made going forward.

The discussions surrounding Sanders and his relationship with Stefanski highlight the critical nature of support within teams, especially for young quarterbacks navigating the pressures of the NFL. Whether the Browns can create the right environment for Sanders to thrive will significantly dictate the course of the season and his career ahead.