STWF| CLEVELAND | Nov. 7, 2025 — One of football’s most polarizing front-office figures is heading back to his baseball roots. Paul DePodesta, the longtime executive whose “Moneyball” legacy transformed sports analytics, has departed the Cleveland Browns to become the head of baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies, ending a nearly decade-long NFL experiment that yielded mixed results at best.
At the same time, across the college football landscape, a different storyline unfolded as Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was reminded by his coaching staff — and his father, Deion Sanders — that no player is above accountability, even the face of the program.
The two stories, while separate, share a common theme: reputations built on potential must still be validated through results.
From “Moneyball” to Misfire: DePodesta’s NFL Exit
DePodesta, 52, joined the Browns in 2016 after a successful baseball career with the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. His analytical approach revolutionized front-office strategy in Major League Baseball and inspired Jonah Hill’s character in the 2011 film “Moneyball.”
But in the NFL, the results were far less cinematic.
“In the NFL, DePodesta was a fish out of water,” said veteran Browns insider Tony Grossi. “While he improved many departments — especially analytics, which became the most advanced in the league — he also presided over some of the franchise’s darkest years.”
Those years included the infamous 1-31 stretch under Hue Jackson, a period many Browns fans still view as the low point of the organization’s modern era.
During DePodesta’s tenure, the Browns compiled a 56-99-1 record, good for just a .362 winning percentage — the fourth-worst mark in the NFL over that span. Only the Jaguars (.353), Giants (.341), and Jets (.301) were worse.
And then there was the Deshaun Watson trade, a blockbuster deal that cost Cleveland three first-round picks and a record-setting $230 million guaranteed contract. Watson’s on-field availability has been limited due to injuries and suspension, and his future remains uncertain following an Achilles injury.
“DePodesta had to have some hand in that move,” Grossi noted. “Jimmy Haslam called it a ‘big swing and a miss,’ and it may go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history.”
Still, DePodesta leaves with some credit to his name. He played a crucial role in pairing GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski — a partnership that helped Cleveland make the playoffs twice in the past five seasons.
“On the positive side, you’ve got to give DePodesta credit for aligning Berry and Stefanski,” Grossi said. “They’ve brought stability to a franchise that had none.”
With DePodesta’s departure, the Browns’ front-office structure is now in flux. There’s speculation that Berry could be promoted to an executive vice president role while Haslam seeks a new general manager to work alongside Stefanski. But with nine games left in the season and the Browns fighting for playoff position, organizational reshuffling may wait until January.
Meanwhile in Boulder: Shedeur Sanders Told to “Earn the Right to Play”
While DePodesta’s exit dominated NFL headlines, the football world’s attention also turned to Boulder, Colorado, where Shedeur Sanders, the high-profile quarterback and son of Deion Sanders, received a reality check from his coaching staff.
Despite his immense talent and NIL fame, Sanders has reportedly been reminded that playing time and leadership must be earned, not assumed.
The message, insiders say, was part of Deion Sanders’ ongoing effort to instill discipline and accountability in a program still adjusting to the national spotlight.
“Shedeur’s as gifted as any quarterback in the country,” a team source said. “But Coach Prime’s message has always been clear — every player, no matter their name or status, must earn the right to play every week.”
After an offseason filled with hype, Shedeur has faced scrutiny for holding onto the ball too long, taking unnecessary sacks, and struggling against top defensive fronts. The feedback from Colorado’s staff suggests a renewed focus on fundamentals — decision-making, protection, and leadership.
Analytics, Accountability, and the Art of Earning It
For both Paul DePodesta and Shedeur Sanders, the week underscored the tension between reputation and performance — between the metrics and the moments that define success.
DePodesta’s analytical genius revolutionized baseball but never fully translated to football, where human dynamics often defy data. Meanwhile, Sanders’ star power and arm talent can only take him so far without mastering the details that separate college standouts from future pros.
In sports, potential is currency — but results are the only measure that matters.
