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ESPN star Stephen A. Smith warned Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Monday what would happen if Shedeur Sanders is not named quarterback for Week 13.
Stefanski was noncommittal about the team’s starting quarterback after Sanders caught a touchdown pass in the Browns’ 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders was the first rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
As Browns fans get hyped about the possibility of Sanders becoming part of Cleveland’s future, Smith appeared on “First Take” and warned of a “mutiny” in the city if Sanders doesn’t start against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Here’s the only thing I’m going to say. I didn’t like that Kevin Stefanski hesitated to say he’s starting next week,” Smith said. “You could have at least said that. It’s ridiculous that he didn’t say at least as much, even though we know eventually he will. . . . There’s no way you could get away with not starting Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland, they’re going to riot in that city if they don’t put Shedeur Sanders back out there behind center this coming weekend.”
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass the ball in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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Smith added that Sanders “proved that he deserves to be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season for the Cleveland Browns.”
Sanders started in place of Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion in Week 11.
Stefanski was pleased that Sanders was able to communicate what he saw on the field.
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“All of our quarterbacks do a great job in the game and also have the conversations that you have during the week,” Stefanski said. “These guys do a good job of telling us what they see. I think it’s so important because they have a better angle than we have on the sideline. So he did a nice job. I thought he saw clearly. With young players, are there going to be things that he can do better? Absolutely.”
