Shedeur Sanders’ Two-Point Controversy: A Coach’s Crucial Decision

In a dramatic Sunday matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders led a remarkable comeback effort that had fans on the edge of their seats. After finding fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for a touchdown that brought the Browns within two points at 31-29, the stage was set for a game-tying two-point conversion. But in a move that left many bewildered, head coach Kevin Stefanski opted not to have Sanders – who had thrown for 364 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score – on the field for the crucial play. Instead, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins lined up in the wildcat formation, a decision that ultimately failed and sealed Cleveland’s defeat.

This controversial coaching decision drew sharp criticism from FOX Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who called it a “coaching failure.” Griffin, who spent the 2016 season with the Browns, has been vocal about how Cleveland has handled Sanders since drafting him in the fifth round. “You have to be in touch with what’s going on in the game,” Griffin told Fox News Digital, “and the young man that gave you the best chance to win the game should’ve been on the field in the most crucial point of the game.” While Griffin acknowledged that coaches typically prepare specific two-point plays before games and stick to their call sheets, he emphasized that this situation called for adaptability: “In that moment, I think you have to say to yourself this young man has four touchdowns, he’s led us all the way back into this game and kept us in this game. We should not be taking him off the field.”

Sanders’ performance leading up to that crucial moment had been nothing short of impressive. With the Browns facing a 31-17 deficit with roughly six minutes remaining, the rookie quarterback orchestrated a scoring drive culminating in his first career rushing touchdown. Then, after Cleveland’s defense forced a three-and-out, Sanders engineered another efficient drive – seven plays covering the field in just 1:40 – finding Fannin for the touchdown that brought the Browns within striking distance with 1:03 left in the game. Throughout the contest, Sanders displayed poise and skill beyond his years, keeping Cleveland competitive until the very end despite being down by two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter.

The controversy comes amid a season of quarterback uncertainty for the Browns. With Joe Flacco traded away and Dillon Gabriel struggling to find consistency, fans had increasingly called for Sanders to get his opportunity. The rookie quarterback delivered in his first career start with a convincing 24-10 victory over the Raiders, prompting Stefanski to praise his development and confirm him as the starter for the remainder of the season. However, Sunday’s decision to remove Sanders for the critical two-point try has only intensified criticism from those who believe the organization is not setting the young quarterback up for success. While Griffin noted that coaches shouldn’t make decisions based on outside opinions, he remained confident that in this specific situation, Sanders should have been trusted to deliver in the game’s most pivotal moment.

Beyond the football field, Griffin himself was making an impact in Baltimore ahead of the 126th Army-Navy game. In partnership with USAA, the official Salute to Service partner of the NFL, Griffin surprised Cryptological Technician Petty Officer First Class Jamil Lewis and Army National Guard veteran Patrick Huber with new vehicles during a special ceremony at Inner Harbor in front of the USS Constellation. For Griffin, whose parents served a combined 31 years in the Army, this partnership holds deep personal significance. “To see the impact we’ve been able to make over the last 13 years, doing things to make our military members know they’re not forgotten, it does something for me,” Griffin explained. “It’s not a free car. I say that because, yeah, they didn’t have to pay money for it, but there was sacrifice for us and our freedoms to be able to get this type of treatment.”

As Sanders prepares to face the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 15, with four games remaining in his rookie season, the young quarterback has already shown flashes of the talent and leadership that could make him Cleveland’s quarterback of the future. How Stefanski and the Browns’ coaching staff handle these remaining games – including crucial decisions like the one that sparked controversy on Sunday – may prove pivotal in Sanders’ development and the team’s trajectory. For now, Sanders continues to improve week by week, gaining valuable experience while demonstrating that the moment is never too big for him – even if sometimes, the moment isn’t given to him when it matters most.