Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski faced criticism after benching rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders for Tyler Huntley in the final minutes of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Rams. Huntley, who was released the next day, briefly replaced Sanders after the rookie caught snaps throughout the second half.

Sanders’ night was far from easy. He finished 3-of-6 passing for 14 yards, absorbed five sacks, and led just one drive that avoided a three-and-out. It was a stark contrast from his preseason debut, where he impressed against Carolina. But he has made one clear decision – Stefanski traded Kenny Pickett, and not Sanders, so his future is secure. However, the challenging journey hasn’t ended for him. The QB1 also knows that. Hence, he is sending a perfect message of trust to the young quarterback.

The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback carousel in 2025 has been anything but straightforward. When the team acquired Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 12, many believed the former Eagles starter brought instant credibility to a room that included rookie Shedeur Sanders, veteran Joe Flacco, and rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Pickett’s resume gave him a clear edge. He had 25 career starts, a 15–10 record as a starter, and nearly 4,800 passing yards across three seasons with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Even in limited action with the Eagles in 2024, Pickett completed 59.5% of his passes with two touchdowns and one interception. Yet, despite that edge, Kevin Stefanski didn’t see Pickett as the long-term answer. Instead, he leaned heavily into Sanders’ development, giving the rookie extended preseason reps even while Pickett, by many accounts, looked sharper in practice.

On August 25, Pickett was shipped to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The move underscored Stefanski’s commitment to reshaping the quarterback room around youth, with Sanders and Gabriel positioned as developmental priorities alongside Flacco’s steadying presence.

It was a surprising call. But Kevin Stefanski has been clear, the Browns are playing the long game. In his words, the focus is on development, not public perception. That meant trusting Sanders to take his lumps now, even if Pickett’s steadier hand might have offered short-term stability.

Kevin Stefanski gets support from his veteran

Veteran Joe Flacco, who started the game and later spoke on Sanders’ experience, offered a perspective on the rookie’s struggles. “That’s part of being a rookie. You’re going to get thrown into situations that maybe you don’t think are ideal,” Flacco said. “It’s part of what makes a football player, is learning how to deal with those situations and learn from them.”

The disappointment of leaving the job unfinished was written all over Shedeur Sanders’ face. He sat quietly on the bench, draped in a towel, as if trying to hide from the weight of the moment. Receiver DeAndre Carter came over first, resting his hands on Sanders’ shoulders and offering a few steadying words.

Then came Tony Brown, who had shared the field with Sanders moments earlier. He walked down the sideline beside the rookie quarterback, making sure Sanders didn’t feel alone. Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave leaned in too, checking his mindset and reminding him to reset. After a brutal 24-yard sack, Sanders knelt on the sideline to gather himself before guard Wyatt Teller crouched next to him, telling him to get back up, physically and mentally.

It was a tough scene for a rookie still finding his footing. Sanders had just returned after missing three key practices and the Eagles game because of an oblique muscle strain. In camp, his reps had mostly come with the third- and fourth-team units, hardly the ideal environment for a young quarterback to show growth.

On Saturday, Sanders didn’t win the night. But perhaps he gained something just as important, a reminder that he’s not walking this rookie journey alone.