Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Criticized for Postgame Remarks After Win Over Raiders
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is facing backlash for his postgame locker-room speech in Las Vegas, where he praised almost every unit on the team — even giving Myles Garrett a profanity-filled shout-out — but offered only a brief nod to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders after his first NFL start.
Sanders helped guide the Browns to a 24–10 victory, throwing for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The win ended Cleveland’s three-game skid and made Sanders the first Browns rookie quarterback since 1995 to win in his debut. Still, Stefanski mentioned him only in passing while listing the team’s highlights.
“How about that road win?” Stefanski said, before applauding Gage Lavardain’s special-teams return, Corey Bojorquez’s punting, and Dylan Sampson’s late offensive play. Only then did he add, “Then another rookie making his first start, nice job Shedeur.”
He then shifted to the defense — and especially Garrett — for their dominant outing.
“Save the best for last — how about that (expletive) defense? Ten sacks!” Stefanski said, before awarding the game ball to Garrett. He noted Garrett battled through a cold yet still posted three sacks, giving him 18 on the season through 11 games and breaking his own franchise record.
Fans Call Out Stefanski for Overlooking Sanders
While no one disputed the defense’s excellence, Browns fans were quick to notice how little attention Stefanski gave Sanders — and that he didn’t award the rookie a game ball for winning his first start.
“Man, at least act like you care about your QB,” one fan commented.
Another noted, “Your rookie QB did something this team hasn’t seen in 30 years and got almost no recognition.”
Others took it as a sign of Stefanski’s preference for Dillon Gabriel, with one fan saying, “Two seconds of credit and no game ball? That’s wild.”
Former stars Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe also took issue.
“They don’t want him to succeed,” Johnson said on Nightcap, arguing that Gabriel is Stefanski’s chosen quarterback.
Sharpe added, “Shedeur played his (expletive) off… and that’s all he gets?”
Browns Keep QB Decision Open
The Browns now face a looming quarterback choice. Gabriel is close to being cleared from his concussion, and the team has hinted he would regain the starting role once healthy. After the win, Stefanski declined to address who will start moving forward.
“I’m not going there,” he said. “I’m proud of him and proud of the offense, but I’m focused on today. I’ll take my time and do what’s best for the team.”
Cleveland was 1–5 with Gabriel under center and he struggled to stand out. The Browns next host the San Francisco 49ers.
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