CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski is starting to feel the pressure of having Shedeur Sanders under him

Sanders has been the focus of the media following his 2025 NFL Draft slouch.

Kevin Stefanski is starting to feel the pressure of having Shedeur Sanders under him
Actualizado

Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Cleveland Browns, is beginning to feel the weight of managing a high-profile rookie quarterback in Shedeur Sanders as media attention on the 23-year-old shows no sign of fading.

The son of legendary coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur was one of the most talked-about prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, his journey to the NFL wasn't typical as he dropped to 144th before being taken to Ohio.

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The media attention surrounding him intensified during his first minicamp with Cleveland, but claims suggest his performance on the field didn't quite live up to the hype, outperformed by Dillon Gabriel - a rookie picked just before him.

Despite this, the focus remained overwhelmingly on Sanders for online engagement from Browns social media, who have posted the ex-Colorado Buffaloes star more than the impressive Gabriel.

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Several videos, particularly one where Coach Prime's son underthrew a that would have potentially been an interception in a real game, garnered massive engagement, something desirable for the 's KPI targets.

Despite the underwhelming nature of the throw, the Browns social media team celebrated it as a "BOMB."

This exaggerated highlight helped further fuel the buzz around the young QB, even if the on-field performance didn't back up the hype, and shows just what kind of pressure he's under.

Stefanski under Shedeur pressure

This approach also highlights why Sanders' fall to the fourth round may have been justified. His media presence, while a significant asset in of fan engagement, has also been a source of distraction and controversy.

This could create more headaches than benefits as the season progresses, something Stefanski must content with when it comes to determining who makes the roster and who earns the starting spot.

And that already appears to be breaking through the head coach's composure after he responded to media in an irritated fashion when they continuously asked why Gabriel got the nod over Sanders in first-team reps in the rookie minicamp.

If Sanders fails to show significant improvement, the inevitable questions about his future and potential starting status will only grow louder and may even come from Deion Sanders himself.

The iconic NFL player, now coaching the Colorado Buffaloes in the NCAA, has made it clear if he feels either of his sons are being mistreated (Shilo with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), he will publicly call it out.

As the 2025/26 season approaches, it's clear that the Browns' decision to draft Sanders comes with long-term attention and scrutiny.

Whether they can manage it remains to be seen, but it puts notable pressure on both player and organization ahead of the opener.

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