What Kevin Stefanski's Comments Tell Us About Shedeur Sanders' Future

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his second career start for the Cleveland Browns in their loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite not lighting up the stat sheet, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur "had some really good moments."

Nov 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs on the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his second career NFL start against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Sanders had a modest 149 passing yards and was 16/25 passing with a touchdown and zero interceptions. 

Kevin Stefanski: “Shedeur Had Some Really Good Moments”

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks to the scoreboard during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Nov. 16, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked by reporters about his thoughts on Shedeur’s performance. He seemed encouraged by how he fared against the 49ers defense.

“Shedeur had some really good moments in that football game,” Stefanski said. “There are things that he wants back that we’re coaching up right now that he can improve upon, but bottom line is we have to continue to put our players in position to succeed.”

Stefanski was adamant that the best thing for Sanders and the younger players is to get reps. That’s how they will improve. 

Nov 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) makes a pass during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

“For the young quarterback, you only get better with more turns at this thing, in these games as you see more coverages, you see more defenses, and as you prepare vs. different defenses,” Stefanski said. “Just looking forward to that constant improvement with Shedeur and all of our young players.”

The best play of the game from Sanders was his 34-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

34 YARDS for the score!!#SFvsCLE on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/RS28kF9ngx

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 30, 2025

MORE: Biggest Winners and Losers from Colorado’s Loss to Kansas State

MORE: Deion Sanders' Closing Remarks After Colorado Buffaloes Season

MORE: Kaidon Salter Admits Colorado's Quarterback Carousel Led To Confusion 

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Shedeur’s Future in Cleveland

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during day two of rookie minicamp May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Something Stefanski said about Shedeur is what fans have been saying for a while. The only way to get better is for him to get more time on the field. Through the majority of the season, Sanders didn’t get any playing time. The Browns started off the season with the veteran Joe Flacco starting at quarterback before they traded him and gave the starting nod to Dillon Gabriel.

Now Shedeur is getting the playing time that he needs to develop. Even if he struggles, Stefanski knows the reps are key.

Gabriel started six games for the Browns and had his own struggles. The reason for Shedeur getting his chance when he did was due to Gabriel suffering a head injury mid game, making him unable to return. 

If Shedeur can show promise through the final stretch of there season, the Browns will have to consider him to be the starting quarterback at the start of next season.

Colorado, Deion Sanders Missing Impact of Shedeur

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during a time out in the game against the Utah Utes during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Back in Boulder, Colorado coach Deion Sanders is missing the play from Shedeur Sanders that they had in 2023 and 2024. The Buffaloes started three different quarterbacks in 2025 and finished the season with a 3-9 record.

This was a big falloff from last season with Shedeur, where they went 9-3 in the regular season while Shedeur won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

“Coach Prime” hopes that he has found his next starting quarterback in Julian Lewis. As a freshman with Colorado in 2025, Lewis played in three games. He showed potential and will likely be the starter in 2026.