The honeymoon phase in Cleveland is officially over for Shedeur Sanders. What was supposed to be a fresh start for the young quarterback has devolved into a full-blown media circus, and a growing number of Browns fans are ready to pull the plug entirely.
The drama reached a boiling point this week when Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan suggested that Sanders has a team of online defenders—what he called "keyboard warriors"—who relentlessly go after Browns reporters. The comment ignited a firestorm, with some fans even threatening to confront Ruiter at Huntington Bank Field. While the threats are clearly over the line, they highlight just how toxic the situation has become.
Fans Want Out
Amid the chaos, a segment of the fanbase is pleading with the front office to cut ties with Sanders altogether. Social media erupted with frustrated posts, ranging from resigned acceptance to outright anger.
- "When he gets cut because of this nonsense I wonder who they'll blame," one fan wrote on X.
- "Realistically a QB shouldn't be cut due to fans squabbling with the media. If he's bad on the field today he should be cut for that," another added.
- "Shedeur stans will be SHOCKED when he gets cut eventually, and no other NFL team touches the guy," a third commented. "They'll call it collusion, but in reality he'll just be on the wrong side of the hot/crazy curve. Ironically, it won't be his fault but primarily THEIRS."
- "Can we please just cut him?" asked one exasperated Browns fan.
The irony isn't lost on observers: Sanders hasn't done anything controversial on or off the field. He's simply caught in the crossfire between his passionate supporters and a local media corps that feels under siege. It's a dynamic that echoes the media feuds that have plagued other NFL figures.
Browns Not Budging
Despite the outcry, the Browns are showing no signs of moving on from Sanders. Even if Deshaun Watson gets the Week 1 nod, Sanders is expected to remain as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart. The team's brass seems willing to ride out the storm, at least for now.
Head coach Todd Monken addressed the quarterback situation on Friday, saying a decision on the starter is imminent. "I do not anticipate the quarterback decision going past early in next week," Monken told reporters. The Browns open their season on Sept. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For fans hoping for a clean break, the wait may be frustrating. But with the season fast approaching, the focus should ideally shift back to football. The question is whether the drama will fade or continue to fester. One thing is certain: this story isn't going away quietly.
