Shedeur Sanders Ready for Browns Starting Debut
Since the Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the team has been developing him as a long-term player. Sanders, the fourth quarterback added during the offseason, began the season as number four on the depth chart, behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. He did not receive any repetitions with the first team during the summer. Browns general manager Andrew Berry compared Sanders’ transition to the NFL to someone who “speaks English fluently and now has to learn Mandarin.” Sanders began Cleveland’s regular season on September 7 as the third quarterback behind Flacco and Gabriel. Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders before the roster cutdown day. Sanders took over the backup role after Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7. During the Browns’ Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Gabriel suffered a concussion and Sanders entered the game at the start of the second half. After an uneven and unexpected debut in which he completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards with an interception and was sacked twice, the 23-year-old player will have another opportunity to demonstrate his growth in Week 12. With Gabriel still in concussion protocol, Sanders will make his first career start on Sunday against the Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS), becoming the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999. However, questions arise with Sanders’ first ownership, including how coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will maximize the rookie’s skill set in Cleveland’s offense and how this move impacts the team’s personnel strategy in the offseason when deciding on quarterback depth and, possibly, the future face of the franchise. NFL Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi, NFL senior insider Jeremy Fowler, and NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid analyze what’s in store for Sanders and the Browns:How do the Browns support Sanders to be successful?
There has been much talk about the practice repetitions given (or not given) to Sanders since he arrived in Cleveland, but Stefanski has trusted his staff’s plan for the fifth-round pick from Colorado. With 13 rookies on the active roster, including two rookie quarterbacks, Stefanski, who is in his sixth season as head coach, has modified the practices. He divided the practice field in two to maximize repetitions during the summer and has implemented post-practice sessions for young developing players like Sanders. Although Sanders wasn’t getting initial practice reps like Gabriel when he was Flacco’s backup during the season, Sanders has run the scout team offense and gotten reps in simulation environments.Sanders will finally get those first-team practice reps this week.I don’t think I played well at all. I think there are a lot of things we need to look at during the week and just get comfortable even throwing routes with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and throwing routes with all those guys. I think that was my first ball to him all year.
Sanders
You want to make sure all the concepts are things he feels comfortable with. Obviously, having been around him for months, you have a good idea of the things that fit his eye, so to speak. So I definitely want to lean into those kinds of things and he’s working very hard.
Stefanski
What are the best traits of the rookie quarterback? And where does he still need to improve?
The ball placement and composure are among Sanders’ best traits, as demonstrated by his experience in college (25 starts at Colorado and 25 more at Jackson State). In his final season in Colorado, he had a completion percentage of 74%, the highest in the FBS, and his 6.5% deviation rate was the third lowest. When protected and in rhythm, Sanders has enough arm strength to get the ball to its spots, and he is accurate when throwing to the lower areas of the field. However, Sanders still needs to learn when plays end. He tends to drift in the pocket, looking for the perfect play, and that can result in big losses when things don’t open up quickly. He suffered 42 sacks last season, the most in the FBS, as the starting quarterback for the Buffaloes. Getting the ball to his checkdown or simply looking to gain yards as a runner will be key as he adapts to starting in the NFL. — ReidHow can Stefanski and Rees maximize Sanders’ skill set?
During the rookie’s mid-game in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, Baltimore took advantage of Sanders’ inconsistent pocket handling and the Browns’ struggling offensive line by sending a variety of blitzes. Sanders finished 0-for-5 against the blitz and just 1-for-7 with an interception and two sacks under pressure, according to ESPN Research.
Contents
Shedeur Sanders Ready for Browns Starting DebutHow do the Browns support Sanders to be successful?What are the best traits of the rookie quarterback? And where does he still need to improve?How can Stefanski and Rees maximize Sanders’ skill set?How likely is it that Cleveland will return to Gabriel once he is healthy?With the Browns having two first-round picks in 2026, how will Sanders and Gabriel’s play affect Cleveland’s draft strategy?What are the chances the Browns look elsewhere for a QB1 in the offseason?
How likely is it that Cleveland will return to Gabriel once he is healthy?
Immediately after Sunday’s game against Baltimore, Stefanski committed to Gabriel as the starter if the quarterback cleared concussion protocol. Stefanski also said he didn’t want to speculate whether Sanders could retain the starting position with a strong performance against the Raiders. This coach’s stance aligns with previous comments he has made and supports how he hasn’t wavered on Gabriel’s position as QB1, even as the offense has surpassed 20 points only once since he took over as the starter in Week 5. An impressive performance by Sanders would be an interesting decision for the Browns’ Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers, but Stefanski has given no indication that he would consider a permanent change to Sanders, making Sunday’s game in Las Vegas potentially pivotal in future QB decision-making.— OyefusiObviously, I am focused on this game.
Stefanski
With the Browns having two first-round picks in 2026, how will Sanders and Gabriel’s play affect Cleveland’s draft strategy?
Owner Jimmy Haslam said it was “absolutely” important to evaluate both rookie quarterbacks on the field this season, and with the decision to start Sanders in the wake of Gabriel’s injury, the Browns will have the opportunity to see both passers lead the offense. Before his concussion, Gabriel struggled in his four starts, recording a Total QBR of 30.9 which ranks 31st out of 32 qualified passers, just above Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward. Sanders’ debut got off to an even worse start: he recorded a QBR of 2.4 in the second half of Sunday’s game, but there is an internal belief that Sanders will produce a better performance with a full week of practice reps. The Browns have 10 draft picks, including their two first-round picks, in the 2026 draft. With an offense that has fallen far behind an elite defense, Cleveland is likely to target improvements on the offensive line and in skill positions, which will be spearheaded by the quarterback position. — Oyefusi
