The Cleveland Browns provided a rare update on Shedeur Sanders ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Cleveland has remained relatively quiet about its high-profile backup quarterback in recent weeks, but head coach Kevin Stefanski offered praise on Friday, highlighting Sanders’ growth both on the field and in the classroom.
“He’s doing a really nice job. Including just now coming off the field with the red zone drill we did,” Stefanski said on Friday. “Continues to work really hard. Doing a nice job in meetings. Doing a good job on the field.”
Stefanski noted that nothing has changed with Sanders’ workload in practice. He’s still not taking reps with the first-team offense. That marks a shift from earlier in the year, when Dillon Gabriel saw occasional first-team work while backing up then-starter Joe Flacco.
With limited reps to go around, Sanders has been working after practice to get more. It’s not typical, but the Browns have tweaked how they do things this season with so many rookies in the mix, per Stefanski.
“Going back to the spring, we’ve done a lot of things we haven’t done before because we have so many rookies. You’re trying to maximize every minute you have out there,” Stefanski said. “Certainly, throughout this season, we’ve tried to be extremely intentional in the development of our players.
“You’re not just assuming they’re getting better by just sitting in meetings. You want to give them physical reps as well.”
That said, Stefanski has downplayed the idea of Sanders replacing Gabriel as the starter and being in the mix to see action on the field anytime soon.
“I don’t think it’s fair to speculate,” Stefanski said Monday about a possible timeline for Sanders to see the field. “We’re committed to getting better as an offense. Dillon is certainly committed to improving every which way he can. And all the while, all of our players, our young players are developing and working so hard behind the scenes to make sure that they’re getting better on a daily basis.”
An interesting wrinkle for the Browns is the return of Deshaun Watson, which appears to be nearing. Watson has been sidelined for more than a year while recovering from a twice-ruptured Achilles tendon.
“Deshaun Watson continues to make excellent progress in his comeback from a re-ruptured Achilles, but the Browns aren’t opening his 21-day practice window this week,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said this week. “The Browns will wait at least until least Week 12 against the Raiders to designate Watson for return from reserve/Physically Unable to Perform. They expect to have more clarity on his timeframe over the next couple of weeks.”
If Watson does return, it’s unclear where he’d fit in on the depth chart. He remains under contract through 2026 on his fully guaranteed $230 million deal, but the Browns appear focused on their long-term future. That includes giving extended evaluations to both Gabriel and Sanders to see what they can offer moving forward.
The New Orleans Saints are finalizing preparations for the stretch of the 2025 season, with roster moves settling in and young players carving out their first real roles. But away from the practice field, one surprising off-field decision has drawn national attention.
As the franchise locks in its 53-man roster, focus should be squarely on football. Yet, the personal lives of rookies often become intertwined with the spotlight, especially when outside distractions collide with the demands of the NFL.
This week, a first-year Saint made a headline-grabbing decision unrelated to football. For him, staying in New Orleans’ long-term plans meant not only competing on the field, but also managing the pressures of celebrity attention off it.
That rookie is running back Audric Estimé, who recently secured a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster after being elevated from the practice squad. Shortly after that milestone, he ended his relationship with a well-known social media celebrity, an online star with millions of followers and a massive global audience.
The influencer built her brand through music, lifestyle content and viral posts that turned her into one of the most recognizable young digital personalities. Her reach and visibility inevitably brought heightened scrutiny onto Estimé as he adjusted to life in the NFL and tried to solidify his role in New Orleans.
The rookie explained his choice candidly in a private conversation that has since circulated among team circles:
“Right now, I need to focus on building my career with the Saints. There were too many cameras, too many eyes on my life off the field. I need peace, I need focus – if not, I will lose my chance and get left behind in New Orleans.”
Fans immediately reacted across X and Instagram, some applauding Estimé for putting football first, others sympathizing with his former girlfriend and questioning the pressure placed on young players to sacrifice their personal lives. The split fueled debate over the challenges rookies face in balancing relationships with the ruthless demands of professional sports.
For Audric Estimé, cracking the 53-man roster is only the beginning. By cutting ties with distractions and the glare of social media celebrity culture, the rookie signaled that his priority is clear: proving himself in the Saints’ backfield and earning trust in New Orleans for years to come.