Credit: Instagram Michael Irvin isn’t staying silent after watching Kevin Stefanski’s postgame speech, where the Browns coach seemed to skip over Shedeur Sanders entirely.
Stefanski hyped up Gage Lavardain’s return, praised Corey Bojorquez’s field-position mastery, and celebrated Dylan Sampson’s late burst.
But when it came to Sanders’ historic night, he gave only a quick, flat line: “Nice job Shedeur.” No build-up. No energy. No mention of the 30-year milestone he shattered.
Irvin says the downplay isn’t accidental, insisting “there really is something going on.”
What Michael Irvin Said about Shedeur Sanders’ Situation
Michael Irvin didn’t just disagree with Kevin Stefanski. He broke down exactly why the coach’s lack of recognition toward Shedeur Sanders rubbed him the wrong way.
Irvin explained that great leaders know when to elevate their players, saying, “Any true leader and great teacher, they know when to raise you up and give you something. This locker room is thirsty, thirsty for some hope. That’s why you saw Myles Garrett act like that. That was hope.”
Irvin insisted Stefanski missed a crucial moment to build confidence in his rookie quarterback, especially after Shedeur Sanders delivered a performance worthy of acknowledgment. “You could have given him something,” Michael added. “I understand people worry about Dillon Gabriel, but he could’ve given him something.”
He didn’t stop there. Irvin called Stefanski’s brief, emotionless shoutout not just disappointing, but suspicious. “For him to skip Shedeur like that, that was crazy. Made me think uh, we got something going on with you buddy. That was really bad,” added Irvin.
Irvin also issued advice for how Stefanski should approach Sanders moving forward, saying, “Don’t give him Dillon Gabriel dong ding play cuz what he does, he’s looking for a big player field. He’s a big-time player. He wants to make that big-time player field.”
How Emmanuel Acho Reacted to Irvin’s Message
Emmanuel Acho also weighed in, amplifying Irvin’s message. On X, he wrote, “Somebody show this to Kevin Stefanski. This is how he should speak life into Shedeur Sanders, it’s not hard.” He attached a Vikings locker room video where the coach praises his quarterback directly:
“This feeling that we have right now does not happen without one other guy. Alright, did not go the way any one of us wanted. This guy, I can tell from the jump. He was poised. He was poised. But this guy didn’t quit me and you always thought he’d figure it out. Two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown all in the second half.”
This contrast highlighted exactly what Irvin felt Stefanski failed to deliver – public affirmation of a rising star.
How Shedeur Sanders Responded About His Relationship with Kevin Stefanski
A reporter asked Shedeur Sanders to share details about their relationship because many supporters believe Kevin Stefanski has been sabotaging him. Before anything else, Shedeur jumped in with, “So you just want to start trouble, huh?”
Despite the tension surrounding Stefanski’s handling of Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback made it clear there’s no drama between them. He explained that what fans are seeing is simply how things work between a player and his head coach.
As Shedeur Sanders put it, “I just can’t go out there and tell him to do s*,” noting that he has no control over things like reps, rotations, and other decisions that ultimately fall under Stefanski’s authority.
Still, Shedeur Sanders emphasized that he’s genuinely happy in Cleveland and appreciates the environment he’s in. He made a point to defend Stefanski’s leadership, saying, “Stefanski has been coaching since I got here, and uh, he’s been doing a really great job with everything that’s going on.”
Shedeur Sanders also clarified that his respect for Kevin Stefanski remains intact. He said, “He tells me what I need to do, uh, on and off the field. Um, we definitely grown. Our relationship and everything is grown, so, I’m just grateful to be here,” concluding with a calm confidence that stood in contrast to the controversy surrounding him.
In the end, Shedeur Sanders reaffirmed that his relationship with Kevin Stefanski is not strained, despite public criticism, and that he’s focused on growth, stability, and doing his job on the field.