Derek Carr Blasts Browns for Benching Shedeur Sanders in Preseason Crunch Time

Derek Carr Weighs in on Browns’ Preseason QB Shuffle

Retirement hasn’t exactly pushed Derek Carr away from football. If anything, the former quarterback seems just as plugged in as he was when he was under center. Instead of studying game tape for his own team, Carr is now analyzing other squads and their choices—sometimes with a raised eyebrow. His latest critique? The Cleveland Browns’ surprising decision to bench rookie Shedeur Sanders during a two-minute drill opportunity in their preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Now, let’s unpack why this move has sparked so much chatter, especially from Carr.

The Setup: A Tight Preseason Battle

The Browns were trailing 17–16 with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. In these types of games, preseason or not, coaches often use the moment to see what their young quarterbacks can do under pressure. For Sanders, a highly watched rookie who’s already generating buzz simply because of his name and potential, it seemed like the perfect chance to show his poise and command.

But instead of rolling with Sanders, head coach Kevin Stefanski made a switch. He sent in veteran Tyler Huntley to run the show. Huntley, known for his steady play and experience, may have offered stability—but stability isn’t really what preseason is about. It’s about seeing how the new kids handle the chaos.

And that’s exactly the angle Derek Carr questioned.

Carr’s Take: Let the Rookie Cook

Carr didn’t mince words when he jumped on social media after the game.

• “I need to understand why we don’t get to see Shedeur Sanders run this 2-minute drill,” he posted.

• “Wouldn’t you want to see your young QB operate in this situation? Get him more reps for the future?”

From Carr’s perspective, the Browns had a golden opportunity to let Sanders handle a real football moment—the kind you just can’t simulate in practice. A two-minute drill with the game on the line? That’s a developmental gift. Instead, Sanders was yanked, and the reps went to Huntley.

For a young quarterback fighting for a roster spot, moments like that matter. Carr’s point was simple: don’t waste them.

The Rookie Comparison

Adding to the confusion is that the Browns did let another rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, run a hurry-up situation earlier in the game. Gabriel led an 86-yard scoring drive in just under two minutes before halftime. He capped it off with a crisp three-yard touchdown pass to Gage Larvadain, finishing his night 12 of 19 for 129 yards and a score.

That wasn’t just an average preseason drive—that was the type of series coaches replay in film rooms to gauge a rookie’s composure. Gabriel showed he could handle the pressure, and his night ended on a high.

So naturally, fans and analysts were left asking: why Gabriel and not Sanders?

Sanders’ Rough Night

It wasn’t the prettiest stat line for Shedeur Sanders. He went 3-of-6 for 14 yards and took five sacks, losing a whopping 41 yards. That type of performance might’ve played into Stefanski’s decision to sit him late. Coaches don’t like to see a young quarterback repeatedly take hits, and maybe the staff just wanted to protect him.

But here’s where Carr’s argument circles back in: if Sanders is already having a tough outing, why not let him redeem himself in a meaningful two-minute drill? If anything, that kind of moment could’ve given him confidence heading into the season. Instead, he walked off the field with an incomplete night and no real chance to close strong.

Stefanski’s Explanation

To his credit, Stefanski didn’t dodge the question after the game. He said the move wasn’t about Sanders failing—it was about sticking to a plan. The staff had intended to give Huntley a late-game series no matter what.

"Obviously, we didn’t play great as an offense in the second half," Stefanski said. "That’s never on one person, so we can be better in a bunch of areas and just felt like we wanted to give [Huntley] a last drive."

From a coach’s perspective, that’s logical. Huntley deserves reps too, especially since he may need to step in during the regular season if injuries strike. But from a developmental perspective, it feels like a missed chance for Sanders.

Why Carr’s Opinion Resonates

Carr isn’t just a retired guy tweeting hot takes. He knows the value of real reps for young quarterbacks. During his rookie year with the Raiders, Carr got plenty of chances to figure things out on the field—even when it was messy. Those reps shaped him into a durable, reliable starter for nearly a decade.

He sees a guy like Sanders—buried on the depth chart as the fourth QB—and knows opportunities like this won’t come often. In practice, the fourth quarterback rarely sees significant snaps. Preseason games might be his only real chance to run with live bullets. That’s why Carr believes pulling him late was a mistake.

Bigger Picture: Preseason Philosophy

This whole debate highlights something bigger about preseason strategy.

• Do you prioritize veterans who need tune-ups, or rookies who need development?

• Do you stick with a rotation plan, or adjust on the fly based on game flow?

• Do you protect rookies from failure, or let them learn by fire?

Every coach answers these questions differently. Stefanski went with Huntley. Carr—and plenty of fans—would’ve gone with Sanders.

What This Means for Sanders

The unfortunate reality is that Sanders’ preseason likely ends on a sour note. With him being QB4, his window for live-game reps is probably closing. Unless something drastic changes, most of his development will now have to happen on the practice field—and those aren’t the same as game-speed snaps.

In the NFL, confidence matters. Sanders had a chance to build some, and it slipped away.

Takeaways

Here’s what we can pull from the situation:

1. Derek Carr is still locked into the NFL world. Retirement hasn’t dulled his eye for quarterback play.

2. The Browns have some intriguing rookies. Gabriel impressed, but Sanders still has a long road.

3. Stefanski’s decision split opinions. Sticking to a plan is one thing, but sometimes the flow of the game calls for adjustments.

4. Preseason matters for development. Every snap counts, especially for players deep on the depth chart.

Final Word

At the end of the day, this is still preseason football. Wins and losses don’t carry weight in the standings, but they do carry significance in how players grow. That’s why Carr’s critique hits home. Coaches preach development, but when the lights came on and the perfect two-minute drill chance was there, the Browns pulled the plug on Sanders.

Maybe Stefanski sees things differently, and maybe Sanders gets another shot down the line. But for now, Derek Carr’s voice echoes what a lot of fans were already thinking