“It’s An Absolute Embarrassment” — The NFL World Is Absolutely Destroying The Cleveland Browns Over How They’re Treating Shedeur Sanders
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Cleveland Browns faced plenty of criticism in November 2025 after quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut, then in a tough situation.
Sanders entered the game during the third quarter of a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel left with a concussion. In his first NFL appearance, the former Colorado star completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and threw an interception.
However, most of the criticism was not about how Sanders played. Instead, it came after then head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed that Sanders had never taken a snap with the first-team offense in practice before entering the game.
That revelation started a debate among all. Many questioned why the Browns never gave Sanders any first-team reps, even though he was one injury away from entering a game.
Browns’ Quarterback Plan Drew Sharp Criticism
ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Grossi delivered one of the strongest reactions following the loss.
“It’s an amateurish organization,” Grossi said. “The way they have handled the quarterbacks from the moment they drafted Shedeur, they were all doomed to get fired because of it.”
“It’s an embarrassment,” – @TonyGrossi on the way the Browns have handled the QB position this season. pic.twitter.com/BCP2VcS78g
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 17, 2025
Grossi continued his criticism, suggesting the situation reflected poorly on the entire organization.
“That’s what’s going to happen because it has descended into a blank show, really. It’s an embarrassment to the rest of the guys who are playing their hearts out that the most important position is … I’ve never seen it mishandled worse than what we’re seeing.”
The debate followed several quarterback changes in Cleveland. After trading Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, the Browns relied on rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. While the team hoped both would develop, Sanders’ NFL debut raised questions about whether Cleveland had prepared him properly.
The Browns were also dealing with questions about Deshaun Watson’s future. The quarterback spent the season recovering from an Achilles injury and was not expected to play in 2025. While Watson shared videos showing his rehab progress, the team’s main focus remained on developing its young quarterbacks.
With Watson now working his way back and new head coach Todd Monken taking over, Sanders had to compete for his place on the depth chart. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Watson made a stronger impression than Sanders during the team’s voluntary workouts in April.
After a difficult start to his second NFL training camp, Shedeur Sanders is now facing plenty of pressure. The young Browns quarterback eventually got his chance last year and started the final seven games of the 2025 season, giving Cleveland a closer look at what he could do as the team’s future quarterback.
