ESPN star gives warning to Browns coach after failing to name Shedeur Sanders starting QB for next game

ESPN prima Stephen A. Smith warned Cleveland Browns caput manager Kevin Stefanski connected Monday what would hap if Shedeur Sanders isn’t named the backmost for Week 13.

Stefanski was noncommittal astir the team’s starting backmost aft Sanders had a touchdown walk successful the Browns’ 24-10 triumph implicit the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders was the archetypal rookie backmost to triumph his archetypal commencement since 1995.

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Cleveland Browns caput manager Kevin Stefanski watches during the archetypal fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, successful Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

As Browns fans get hyped astir the anticipation of Sanders becoming a portion of Cleveland’s future, Smith appeared connected "First Take" and warned of a "mutiny" successful the metropolis if Sanders doesn’t commencement against the San Francisco 49ers.

"Here’s the lone happening I’d say. I did not similar Kevin Stefanski hesitating to accidental he’ll beryllium starting adjacent week," Smith said. "You could’ve astatine slightest said that. It’s ridiculous that helium didn’t accidental astatine slightest that overmuch adjacent though we cognize helium yet will. … There’s nary mode you could get distant with not starting Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland, they’ll person mutiny successful that metropolis if they don’t enactment Shedeur Sanders backmost retired determination down halfway this coming weekend."

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to walk the shot successful the 2nd 4th against the Las Vegas Raiders astatine Allegiant Stadium connected Nov. 23, 2025 successful Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Chris Unger/Getty Images)

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Smith added that Sanders "proved that helium deserves to beryllium the starting backmost for the remainder of the play for the Cleveland Browns."

Sanders started successful spot of Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion successful Week 11.

Stefanski was blessed that Sanders was capable to pass what helium saw connected the field.

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"All our quarterbacks bash a large occupation in-game, having those conversations that you’re having passim the week arsenic well," Stefanski said. "These guys are doing a bully occupation telling america what they’re seeing. I deliberation that’s truthful important due to the fact that they person a amended space than we bash connected the sidelines. So helium did a bully job. I thought helium saw clearly. With young players, are determination going to beryllium things that helium tin bash better? Absolutely."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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