Former All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib didn’t mince words when criticizing the Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski for how they’ve handled the Shedeur Sanders situation this season.
Sanders is currently the backup in Cleveland to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. It’s unclear if Sanders will see the field this season.
But on The Arena Gridiron, the question was raised: if Sanders started the final five games of the season and went undefeated, would Stefanski still keep his job? Talib didn’t hold back, going scorched earth on the Browns’ head coach.
“He’ll still be fired,” Talib said. “He should have done it from the jump. He should have done it from the jump with his hating (expletive). Get the (expletive) on. Shedeur should have been in there. He has a personal vendetta, that’s why (Shedeur) isn’t playing. No matter what, Stefanski has got to go.”
Talib had a few theories about why Sanders has been unable to move up on the depth chart, even with Gabriel struggling as the starter.
“Maybe he’s tied in with Dillon Gabriel because they have the same agent. Stefanski has personal ties to Dillon,” Talib said. “That’s what Stefanski got. I ain’t making up nothing. Do the research, bro. It’s clear as day.”
For the record, Gabriel and Stefanski do not share the same agent.
Former Browns QB Johnny Manziel Calls for Shedeur Sanders to Start
Talib is far from the only one pushing for Sanders to get his chance. Former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has also voiced his support, saying it’s time for Sanders to see the field.
“Coming out last year for the Heisman, Dillon Gabriel was there. Loved him. Loved watching him play at Oregon and I think he still has potential to find a place in the league. But the best player on your team is pissed off. He just wants to rush the passer and go home to get out of the building. It’s brutal,” Manziel said. “Are they ever going to figure it out? At this point, bring yourself a spark. Put Shedeur in — let him go, let him rip. He looked good enough in the preseason. He’s been sitting there for eight weeks now. They’ll start Gabriel again, but if that goes bad, turn it over to Shedeur.”
Manziel pointed to the Browns’ 2-6 record and the hype around Sanders as reasons to make the move now.
“You can get some excitement in the building. This season is already a loss,” Manziel said. “You’re not making the playoffs. They have to look at it like they’re building something for next year. See if Shedeur is the one.”
Browns Not Giving Up on Dillon Gabriel — Yet
Stefanski has remained mostly mum on Sanders and the quarterback situation in general. The two-time Coach of the Year has continued to back Gabriel publicly, putting the offense’s struggles on the unit as a whole.
“We have a lot of things that we need to do better offensively in total – quarterback position, every position, coaching, you name it,” Stefanski said. “Going back to the bye week, you try to study and learn some things and try to make sure that we as coaches are putting our guys in the best position to succeed and certainly, that would count the quarterback as well.”
Gabriel will start for the Browns on Sunday against the struggling New York Jets, with a notable shakeup on the sidelines. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will now handle play-calling duties instead of head coach Kevin Stefanski.
If Gabriel continues to operate more as a game manager than a difference-maker, Cleveland may be tempted to hand the offense over to Sanders sooner rather than later.
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