Browns head coach blasted over Shedeur Sanders locker room decision as QB issues clear message

Nov 25, 2025 - 14:30

Kevin Stefanski had a pick of players to hand the game ball to after the Cleveland Browns beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 on Sunday.

Shedeur Sanders, who made his first NFL start in the game, was an obvious choice, but Stefanski opted to skip the rookie in favor of Myles Garrett, a decision that hasn’t gone down well with many online.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Sanders made his eagerly-awaited NFL debut on Sunday and looked relatively assured

The two-time head coach of the year gave his customary post-win locker room speech and singled out several players for their contributions.

Sanders received his praise, albeit small, while Garret was hailed for his dominant defensive performance, as he recorded three sacks and broke his own single-season franchise sack record, which now stands at 18.

“Another rookie his first start — nice job, Shedeur. Well done,” he said.

After footage of Stefanski handing the game ball to Garrett went live, the criticism came in thick and fast.

Kendrick Perkins, Shannon Sharpe, ‘Ochocinco’ blast Stefanski over game ball decision

Former NBA star turned ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins shared the video of Stefanski on X with the caption: ‘Cupcake a** probably texted Dillon [Gabriel], “missed you out there capt”.

NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson watched the clip on their podcast, Nightcap, and slammed the decision, arguing Sanders should have received the ball.

“So hold on. A guy’s making his first start. A guy that you didn’t really want to start. A guy that you didn’t even really want in your organization. And that’s all he gets? A ‘great job,’” Sharpe said.

“He don’t get no game ball?”

“No, he doesn’t get no game ball, Unc. That wasn’t his pick,” Johnson replied.

“That’s not what they want. They don’t want him to succeed. You know that.”

Sharpe and Johnson pointed to how Sanders broke a 30-year losing streak for the Browns, becoming the first Cleveland rookie quarterback to win his first start with the franchise since Eric Zeier did so in 1995.

Kevin Stefanski holding the game ball in the Browns locker room — Stefanski gave a long speech after the win but did not give the game ball to Shedeur

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders — Sanders was satisfied with his first NFL start as his several statements after indicate

talkSPORT reacts... Stefanski critcism is overblown

Is handing the game ball to Myles Garret really that controversial?

Many would agree that Kevin Stefanski’s handling of the quarterback situation hasn’t been perfect, not least the way Shedeur Sanders has been treated.

But in this instance, criticism of the head coach is pretty unwarranted.

Myles Garrety, who received the game ball, deserved it. He had one of his most dominant performances in a Brown uniform with three sacks.

It’s just a fact that Garrett played better than Sanders, and perhaps Stefanski chose not reward the rookie in order to keep him grounded. After all, this is meant to be the first start of many.

It should also be noted that Dillon Gabriel did not receive the game ball when he recorded his first win as an NFL starter against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7.

This feels like a mountain out of a molehill.

Mohamud Ahmed, US Sports Writer

Sanders, who shared an emotional moment with dad Prime Time, had a solid if not spectacular game against Las Vegas, with the fifth-round pick out of Colorado completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards and had one touchdown and one interception.

Despite fellow rookie Gabriel clearing the concussion protocol, Stefanski has named Sanders as his starting QB for the Browns’ upcoming clash with the San Francisco 49ers.

“That ain’t worth a game ball, Ocho?” Sharpe asked after Sanders’ performance.

“This his notion that it was just a ho-hum performance — the guy got no snaps with the guys that he played with today until Wednesday of last week.

“And he does that on the road in a hostile environment, and all you got for him is that?”

Sanders speaks to media following first NFL win, sends clear message to critics

There is no doubt Sanders has endured a tumultuous time with the Browns, from being their QB4 at the start of the training camp to becoming QB1.

He’s faced almost unprecedented media attention and criticism for a fifth-round draft pick, so it’s no surprise the 23-year-old cut a confident figure after the Raiders win.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after beating the Las Vegas Raiders — Sanders will start again on Sunday against a better team in the 49ers, and the rookie needs to impress again

“Everybody can analyze, everybody could say everything from the sideline,” Sanders began.

“You could watch TV, anything you could be, you could talk on whatever you want to do, but until you get out there and you do it then it’s different.

“There’s a lot of vet QBs that had their time and everything and they were back-ups, got thrown into the game, they were alright…I don’t think they were like that in their rookie year.”

Sanders has certainly given ammunition to his detractors ahead of the 49ers contest on Sunday.

The rookie needs to back up last week’s performance — and his words — with another solid outing, but it’s clear, judging by his confidence, that he expects to deliver once again.

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