The Cleveland Browns are going through another frustrating season. Expectations have once again collided with reality. After uneven months from Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders stepped in as the starter. His debut was turbulent, and the 31–3 loss to the Chicago Bears exposed the team’s ongoing struggles.
Sanders threw three interceptions in Week 15. The outcome was decisive, although the process remains complex. The former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback acknowledged his situation and his development stage. He said he is in “the learning and understanding phase of this game.”
Sanders could have pointed fingers, but he chose not to. He refused to blame wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who was involved in one of the interceptions. Sanders was direct and composed: “I’m not the type to kick someone when they’re down. He understands it was a big play… It’s going to happen… I’m sure he’s hard on himself, so there’s no need for me to overdo it.”
The gesture surprised fans, especially since Jeudy had criticized Sanders on the sideline weeks earlier after a missed throw. In a moment that invited retaliation, Sanders chose maturity and leadership instead.
Stefanski takes responsibility
According to The Sports Rush, the issues extend beyond the quarterback position. Head coach Kevin Stefanski also faced the media and accepted responsibility. During his press conference, he was self-critical and admitted that “I didn’t coach well enough” to win. He acknowledged a “bad start” and the team’s inability to recover from it. “We have to learn from these,” he said.
🚨🚨INSANE🚨🚨#Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders would have had a higher passer rating if he would have just SPIKED THE BALL on every play.
Spike the ball on every play: 39.6 rating
Shedeur rating today: 30.3Sanders is the first QB ever to do this twice in 1st four starts 😳 pic.twitter.com/cNi3mTwVGV
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 15, 2025
The scene has become familiar. Stefanski lowers his head, admits mistakes, and maintains a learning-based message. When asked about Sanders, he remained cautious. He said his evaluation is “incomplete until I can review it.” He later added that there are areas for improvement for both the player and the team.
Despite the setback, Sanders will remain the starting quarterback. He will play the remaining games as the coaching staff searches for continuity. The schedule, however, offers little relief. Cleveland will face the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, two defenses that present significant challenges.
The season finale offers only a partial breather. The Cincinnati Bengals await in Week 18, and their defense appears more manageable. That matchup could allow a more respectable finish. Still, uncertainty dominates, as Cleveland continues to search for stability.
