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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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After the Cleveland Browns had a controversial play in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, conspiracy theories about quarterback Shedeur Sanders began to emerge again. Fox Sports personality Nick Wright sounded off on the issue, which he felt stemmed from poor decisions by the Browns' coaching staff.
He heaped praise on the rookie QB for an impressive performance, which he believes helps a player earn the starting job for the remainder of the season. However, his words weren't as kind about the Browns' coaching staff, who decided to take out Sanders for a major two-point conversion attempt.
“That was one of the dumbest coaching decisions I’ve ever seen,” Wright said, adding, “It looked like they had never practiced it. It was the single worst two-point conversion anyone has called in the NFL all year.”
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On their two-point conversion attempt, Cleveland tried to get tricky, using running back Quinshon Judkins in a reverse-style play. However, the Titans' defense quickly shut it down, preventing the Browns’ attempt and ultimately hurting Cleveland’s chances of winning.
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According to Wright, during his recent YouTube rant, he suggested that the Browns' coaching staff is fueling conspiracy theories that the team is trying to hinder their rookie quarterback's success.
“Some of the decisions Kevin Stefanski has made are so illogical people think there must be a conspiracy,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be malicious. Sometimes things are just really dumb. But when you make choices like that, you’re adding fuel to every conspiracy about Shedeur.”
Sanders had a surprising fall in this past April's NFL Draft, with many reports that he hurt his draft stock. However, the Browns took a risk on the former Colorado Buffaloes star, and son of two-sport legend Deion Sanders, selecting him in the fifth round. He took over the Browns' quarterback job after an injury took Dillon Gabriel out of their game against the Ravens weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Stefanski is in his fifth season coaching the team, but with a dismal 3-10 record, the team is headed towards another pick high in next year's NFL Draft. A recent Tankathon mock draft suggests they could select another quarterback.
Still, one has to wonder how much longer Stefanski could coach the team, as fans want more, and Sanders has shown promise of better things ahead.
Wright suggested that the recent Browns coaching decision was particularly damaging to Sanders because it occurred during his strongest performance as a pro so far. Despite an interception and several sacks, he finished the game with 364 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-42 completed passes.
However, the result was a Browns' loss, 31-29 to the visiting Titans. Sanders and Cleveland will now face a Caleb Williams-led Chicago Bears team at Soldier Field that is still trying to remain part of the playoff picture.
Read more: Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Defends Jalen Hurts After Chargers Loss
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