Kevin Stefanski & Browns Front Office Unhappy With Jimmy Haslam’s Role in Shedeur Sanders Draft – Report

In a draft full of surprises, the Cleveland Browns‘ choice of Shedeur Sanders stood out — but not just for the reasons fans expected. As the moment played out live, it wasn’t a celebration of a future franchise quarterback, but something far more complicated. An unexpected chill seemed to sweep through the Browns’ draft room, raising serious questions about whether the team’s leadership was fully on board with the pick.

Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Browns, wore a small, polite smile. General Manager Andrew Berry, however, looked far from thrilled, while owner Jimmy Haslam kept a low profile in the background. Their reactions, or lack thereof, quickly became the talk of the NFL world, hinting that the selection of Sanders might not have been a unanimous decision after all. The vibe inside the Browns’ draft room spoke volumes, even without anyone saying much. 

As ProFootballTalk pointed out in an Instagram reel, there was only “perfunctory applause” when Shedeur Sanders’ name was called. He added that “Andrew Berry did not look thrilled,” and even though Kevin Stefanski had “a little bit of a smile,” the overall energy was far from electric. “It wasn’t the kind of reaction you expect when a team thinks they’ve landed their franchise quarterback,” the report noted. Even Jimmy Haslam’s muted reaction stood out, hinting that not everyone was fully on board with the decision. As ProFootballTalk summed up, “It’s a tale of two draft rooms—your new quarterback is thrilled, but your front office? Not so much.”

NFL insider Benjamin Allbright discussed the pick on his radio show, hinting that there had been “internal discussions in Cleveland about draft strategy not aligning across the board,” especially regarding quarterback prospects. Allbright noted, “There was definitely a split in the room—some were higher on other options, but when ownership speaks, decisions tend to follow.” This fresh insight only fuels the belief that the Browns’ front office might have had different plans before Sanders’ selection became a reality.

Are the Browns already second-guessing their Shedeur Sanders gamble?

The tension in the Browns’ draft room didn’t just seem awkward — it could hint at deeper issues. Teams usually celebrate with cheers, high-fives, and obvious excitement when they select a franchise quarterback. Yet, in Cleveland, it felt more like a formality than a victory lap. GM Andrew Berry’s blank expression especially stood out, suggesting that maybe Shedeur Sanders wasn’t the front office’s first choice after all.

Jimmy Haslam often involves himself heavily in decisions, sometimes pushing choices that the coaching staff or management doesn’t fully support. If Haslam did indeed drive the selection of Sanders, it puts pressure on Stefanski and Berry to make a success out of a pick they may not have fully endorsed. In NFL history, when owners overrule football people, the results can be unpredictable at best.

Interestingly, Shedeur Sanders himself seems anything but concerned. The young quarterback celebrated the moment with pure joy, signaling that he’s ready and excited for the next chapter. As ProFootballTalk pointed out, “There’s already a video out there of him celebrating this,” and emphasized that “it’s very unlikely he will try to go back” to college, given the financial hit compared to launching his NFL career. The report also added, “He seems to be happy going to Cleveland, he seems to be happy being drafted by the Browns,” making it clear that Sanders is embracing his opportunity, even if the front office’s excitement didn’t match his own.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the early cracks showing. A quarterback’s success often depends on having the full support of his organization. If Sanders has to fight not only his opponents but skepticism from within his own building, it could make his rookie season even more challenging. The Cleveland Browns have hitched their future to Shedeur Sanders, even if not everyone in the organization feels thrilled about it. For Sanders and the Browns alike, the only thing that can heal any lingering doubts now will be winning football games.

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