Kevin Stefanki has addressed one of the most talked-about storylines in his final season with the Cleveland Browns in 2025: his relationship with Shedeur Sanders. The newly hired Atlanta Falcon coach was subjected to intense criticism regarding the situation last season.

Stefanski, who was fired by the Browns following a 5-12 campaign, spoke openly about his experience coaching Sanders on the “Pardon My Take” podcast on Friday. Despite swirling narrative during the 2025 season, the coach painted a picture of respect and genuine admiration for the young signal-caller.

“I would say this, I love Shedeur,” Stefanski said. “I loved coaching him, seriously. He’s got the right makeup for this game. He was wired the right way. I wish that we won more, obviously.

“But if you saw how he played down the stretch, I mean, he’s a young player that’s getting better. I’m not coaching him anymore. So I know I have to be careful about talking about other players, but I am rooting for him.”

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Kevin Stefanski named Shedeur Sanders as the Browns’ third-string quarterback at the start of the last season. He would go on to claim the starting role in Week 11, leading the offense for the last seven games. However, the coach appeared reluctant to play him despite the calls at the early stage of the season.

Shedeur Sanders earlier gave a clue about his relationship with Kevin Stefanski

After the Browns’ 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Shedeur Sanders opened up about the influence Kevin Stefanski had on him during his rookie year. He specifically highlighted the extra film sessions he spent in Stefanski’s office, crediting those one-on-one breakdowns as a key part of his development.

“Coach Kev, he’s been real tough,” Sanders said Jan. 4. “He’s been tough. And it’s good. I think I grew and learned a lot from him. I think this week we had a conversation, just about things in general.

“I feel like we grew to understand each other. We shared different things that we both will go through. I know he wanted this win, and I know he wants every win, but I know this one means a lot. I wish we as a team, and I wish everybody, could have more, personally.”

Shedeur Sanders, however, didn’t get any first-team reps with the starting offense while he was serving as the backup quarterback until after his Week 10 appearance against the Baltimore Ravens. This remained the case even though Kevin Stefanski kept the post-practice sessions with the rookie quarterbacks.