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The quarterback carousel in Cleveland continues to spark debate, and now it has reached a boiling point with former Browns safety Tyvis Powell taking direct aim at head coach Kevin Stefanski. Powell has publicly criticized Stefanski for his treatment of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, warning that the coach could be jeopardizing the young player's future in the NFL—just as he allegedly did with another former Browns quarterback.
Lack of opportunities raising eyebrows
Despite reports that Sanders threw nine touchdown passes during OTAs, the former Colorado standout has yet to take a single snap with the first-team offense. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and even rookie Dillon Gabriel have all seen time leading the starting unit. But Shedeur Sanders—who many believe has untapped potential—remains sidelined from the top rotation.
His status as a sixth-round draft pick appears to be limiting his access to meaningful reps. This raises serious questions about how Stefanski evaluates and prepares young quarterbacks. And it’s not the first time he's come under fire for such decisions.
Tyvis Powell sounds the alarm
Speaking on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, Tyvis Powell drew parallels between Shedeur Sanders’ current situation and that of Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR), a fifth-round pick by the Browns in 2023. Powell didn’t hold back:
"DTR was a fifth-round pick. What did you expect from a fifth-round quarterback? Of course, he wasn't going to look great. It's not about being a fifth-rounder, it was about the preparation that player received to be ready to play."
Powell implied that Stefanski failed to develop DTR properly, resulting in his underwhelming stint with the Browns before being moved to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, he warns, the same fate could befall Sanders if history repeats itself.
A dangerous pattern for developing talent?
Kevin Stefanski's history of handling late-round quarterback talent is starting to draw serious scrutiny. Critics argue that while draft position matters, coaching and development play an even larger role—especially for young signal-callers trying to find their footing in the league.
Shedeur Sanders is more than just Deion Sanders’ son; he’s a high-upside prospect with a sharp arm and proven college success. If his growth is stunted due to lack of reps and guidance, the Browns may find themselves once again mishandling a quarterback with real potential.
The controversy now casts a shadow over Cleveland's QB depth chart—and all eyes are on Stefanski to see if he'll adjust his approach before another young career slips through the cracks.
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