Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders reportedly played the opening drives of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears wearing a wristband containing the wrong play sheet, the latest mishap in a season already defined by scrutiny and speculation.
During the Fox broadcast, sideline reporters noted that coaching staff removed Sanders’ wristband early in the game to make changes to the play calls. The mix-up occurred as the Browns fell into a quick 14-0 deficit against the Bears at Soldier Field.
The logistical error forced the rookie to operate the offense without an accurate reference for incoming calls from offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Sanders struggled significantly in the freezing conditions, completing just four passes for 54 yards and taking two sacks in the first half.
This is a new one. Allison Willliams reports that the Browns removed Shedeur's play-calling wristband after the 1st quarter and they made changes to it. It sounds like Shedeur was wearing the wrong wristband? Never have I ever seen this happen. pic.twitter.com/XxODkUkU61
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) December 14, 2025
The incident ignited immediate backlash on social media, where fans and analysts questioned how an NFL franchise could send its franchise quarterback onto the field with incorrect information.
“A quarterback cannot properly run his offense when the play-caller is telling him to call plays that are either incorrect or do not exist,” wrote Grayson Weir of BroBible. “If Tommy Rees calls ‘Belly 14’ and ‘Belly 14′ is not on Shedeur Sanders’ wrist, he has to fly blind.”
The error has fueled ongoing “conspiracy theories” among Sanders’ supporters, who argue the organization is failing to support the former Colorado star properly. Since slipping in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders has faced a tumultuous rookie campaign, including a controversy over a game ball in late November and a questionable substitution at the goal line the previous week.
Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, arrived in Cleveland with high expectations but has faced an uphill battle. The Browns’ offense failed to find a rhythm Sunday, compounding frustrations for a team seemingly unable to get on the same page as its quarterback.
Neither head coach Kevin Stefanski nor Sanders addressed the specific wristband error immediately following the first half.
