Shannon Sharpe clapped back at Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski after Stefanski on Sunday defended his decision to bench Shedeur Sanders late in the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.Stefanski pulled Sanders, who had played the entire second half up until that point, and inserted Tyler Huntley for the final two-minute drill in Saturday's 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Sharpe argued on his "Nightcap" podcast that the move made no sense, especially since Huntley was waived on Sunday."You know you're going to waive Tyler Huntley," Sharpe said. "So, what good did that two-minute drive do for him? Doesn't it seem it would have been more beneficial for Shedeur to get the two-minute drill, because that situation that he might find himself in during the regular season if something were to happen to the quarterbacks in front of him?"Sanders had impressed in his NFL debut during Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. However, against the Rams, he struggled under heavy pressure. Sanders was sacked five times, with four of his five possessions ending in three-and-outs. He finished completing just 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards.Shedeur Sanders continues to fight for role in ClevelandNFL: Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns - Source: ImagnDespite being one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class, Sanders slid to the fifth round before being selected by the Browns. Cleveland had already drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round, and the roster also included veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, with Flacco widely expected to be the team’s Week 1 starter.As of now, the Browns’ website lists Sanders, Gabriel and Deshaun Watson (who will be out all season after Achilles tendon surgery in January) as part of the third-string group behind Flacco and Pickett (who has missed all of the preseason games with a hamstring injury).If the Browns eventually move on from the 40-year-old Flacco, the No. 2 job could be up for grabs. That role would put Sanders or Gabriel in a position to eventually take over the offense should the organization decide to hand the reins to a younger option.For now, Flacco is penciled in as Cleveland’s starter heading into the regular season. Sanders’ best chance is to continue proving himself in preseason action and earn consideration as a long-term option in the Browns’ quarterback room.The Browns open their 2025 season against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.