The Cleveland Browns closed the year with some bite, securing a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. As a result, The Land ended the season on a two-game winning streak. As a starter, quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished with a 3-4 record. So, does it mean Kevin Stefanski will trust him more?

Sanders has never been particularly vocal about his relationship with Stefanski. However, after the Browns’ win, he was asked directly about the coach, and the QB did not dodge it.

“I think just Coach Kev, he’s been real tough, he’s been tough,” Sanders said.

Sanders then opened up about their evolving dynamic, explaining how the two grew to understand each other better through shared conversations

“And it’s good. I grew. I learned a lot from him. This week, we had a conversation, just about things, about things in general, and I feel like we grew to understand each other. We shared different things that we go through.”

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He made it personal after that.

“I know he wanted this win, I know he wants every win, but I know this one means a lot. I wish we all, as a team, I wish everybody could have gotten more personal, you know, within this last year.”

While their personal relationship showed signs of growth, Sanders’ on-field performance remained a work in progress. He missed throws and made mistakes; however, he also kept flashing when it mattered. Enough spark to keep the games alive. That was rare early on. For the first ten weeks, the Browns rarely looked competitive. But down the stretch, that changed.

His performance in the finale was a reflection of his rookie season. Sanders finished 11-for-22 for just 111 yards, yet it was enough to secure a win, leaving his future with the Browns as cloudy as ever.

It sends Cleveland into the offseason with something to hold on to. However, Sanders still has a lot to say as he finished his last game of the season.

Shedeur Sanders reacts to his final game of the season

Following the season finale, Sanders told reporters his biggest takeaway wasn’t about stats, but about the mental growth he achieved throughout the year.

“I think the biggest lesson of the year was mentally, and I feel like I achieved and I won that,” he said.

The Browns showed more fight than many expected. Late in the year, they refused to roll over. The Dawg Pound saw effort. First, Cleveland pushed the Buffalo Bills to the edge, nearly stealing one from reigning MVP Josh Allen before falling 23-20. Then came the stunner.

The Browns took down the Steelers 13-6, blocking Pittsburgh from clinching the AFC North. Finally, they closed it out with a win.

As for Sanders, the numbers tell part of it. He completed 120 of 212 passes for 56.6 percent. He threw seven touchdowns but also ten picks. On the ground, he added 169 rushing yards and a score on 21 carries.

His best game came on Dec. 7 against the Titans. He threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing score despite the Browns losing 31-29 in that game.

So what comes next? That remains cloudy. Cleveland still needs answers at QB1 for 2026. The Browns enter the offseason with questions everywhere. And soon enough, the Dawg Pound will find out which direction the front office takes.