Shedeur Sanders denies Aaron Rodgers $500k as Kevin Stefanski accused of tanking over ‘dumb’ call

Dec 28, 2025 - 21:30

Shedeur Sanders found his fan base had grown by a fair few million on Sunday.

As fate would have it, the playoff hopes of the Baltimore Ravens hung on the Cleveland Browns and their quarterback, who turned them down eight months ago.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 14, 2025 — Sanders carried the Ravens’ playoff hopes on his shoulders vs the Steelers

The Browns, with their dismal 3-12 record heading into Week 17, have long been eliminated from NFL postseason contention but played spoiler and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6.

Thanks to the victory, next weekend’s regular-season finale between the Steelers and Ravens would be a win-and-in scenario for the playoffs.

It also means that veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ $500,000 bonus for reaching the postseason is on the line.

With career earnings of over $380 million, the Steelers star isn’t short of cash but will be desperate for a shot at a playoff run.

Shedeur Sanders gets W as Kevin Stefanski blasted

In a bitterly cold and wet afternoon at Huntington Bank Field, Sanders did just enough with 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Victory will move the Browns up in the NFL Draft order and, after head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to go for it on fourth and seven rather than kick a first-half field goal, some fans claimed he was deliberately trying to lose.

“Kevin Stefanski deadass has to be tanking wtf is wrong with that brain of his,” wrote one on X.

“Kevin Stefanski is purposely trying to lose these games and sabotage Sheduer because why not take the field goal,” added a second.

“Go for it on 4th & 7 instead of trusting your kicker to take a 50-yarder lmao. Kevin Stefanski really is one of the dumbest to ever do it,” wrote a third.

In the days building up to kickoff between the Browns and Steelers, Sanders, as usual, was a topic of conversation.

Deion was in town to watch Shedeur in action[/caption]

Sanders was picked twice but just clung on[/caption]

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks down before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 21, 2025 — Rodgers was hoping to secure his playoff spot

Even Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin couldn’t avoid the inevitable questions before coming up against the highest-profile rookie in the NFL.

“It does not matter. He is not a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Tomlin said, when asked about Sanders’ development to date.

“He plays for the Cleveland Browns. I’ll let the Browns talk about his evaluations… I haven’t looked at it through that lens.

“I’m looking at it through the lens of somebody that we need to compete against this weekend.

“His growth and development is not my charge. Preparing a plan to minimize what he and they do is my charge.”

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns runs on to the field for the game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 — Garrett had a chance to smash the NFL’s sack record against the Steelers

Myles Garret misses out on NFL history against Steelers

While Sanders led the Browns offense, Myles Garrett was involved in a formidable effort from the defense.

But he failed to sack the Wily Rodgers and is still one shy of the all-time record.

With one final game to play, Garrett has 22 sacks. Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks in 2001 with the New York Giants) and T.J. Watt (22.5 in 2021 with Pittsburgh), share the record.

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