It didn’t take long for former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to find his way back into the spotlight. Now wearing Atlanta Falcons red, Stefanski joined the Dan Patrick Show this week to discuss his transition and, inevitably, the young quarterbacks he left behind in Northeast Ohio.

Despite a tenure that ended with a disappointing 45-56 overall record, Stefanski remained optimistic about the development of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, stating, “Developing young QBs is something that we want to be at the forefront of… love those two young guys, and they’ll continue to improve.”

For Browns fans, the “improvement” can’t come fast enough under new coach Todd Monken.

Stefanski’s final season was a rollercoaster of rookie growing pains. Dillon Gabriel showed flashes of efficiency, starting five games and throwing for 937 yards with a respectable seven-to-two touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, his 59.5% completion rate didn’t translate to the win column, leaving him with a 1-5 record as a starter.

On the other hand, Shedeur Sanders provided the high-octane excitement and volume Cleveland craved, racking up 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns in as many starts. His record in that span was 3-4. While his ten interceptions and 56.6% completion rate highlighted a desperate need for consistency, his Pro Bowl nod will end his first year in the league on a high note.

Seeing Stefanski discuss “development” from a thousand miles away feels bittersweet. He clearly saw the potential in this duo, yet he couldn’t quite find the formula to turn those passing yards into a winning season.

As the Falcons look to Stefanski to fix their own offensive woes, Cleveland is left wondering if Gabriel and Sanders will truly reach that next level now that the coach who drafted them is gone.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns former HC Kevin Stefanski reflects on rookie QB roller coaster