Shedeur Sanders, Browns’ QB1: NFL Debut and Future, Key Analysis

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 regular season as number 3 on the depth chart, behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Now, he will have his chance to prove his worth. Browns general manager Andrew Berry compared Sanders’ transition to the pros to someone who was “fluent in English and now has to learn Mandarin.” Sanders began Cleveland’s regular season on September 7 as the QB3 behind Flacco and Gabriel. Sanders took over the backup role after Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7.

During the Browns’ defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, Gabriel suffered a concussion and Sanders entered the game at the beginning of the second half. After an 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 show his growth in Week 12.

With Gabriel still in concussion protocol, Sanders will make his first career start on Sunday against the Raiders, becoming the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999. Questions arise about Sanders’ first start, 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 offseason personnel strategy when deciding on quarterback depth and possibly the future face of the franchise.

Support Sanders for Success

Stefanski has modified the practices to maximize repetitions. Although Sanders did not receive the initial practice repetitions like Gabriel, he has led the scout team offense and participated in mock games. Sanders admitted that he needs to develop chemistry with the starting unit. He will have practice repetitions with the first team this week.

“You want to make sure all the concepts are things he feels confident with,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, having been around him for months, you have a good feel for the things that fit his eye, so to speak. So I definitely want to lean on those types of things and he’s working really hard.”

Stefanski

Shedeur Sanders (No. 2) led the Colorado Buffalos to a 9-4 record in 2024, finishing the season with 4,134 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns.

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

The placement of the ball and composure are some of Sanders’ best qualities, as demonstrated by his college experience. In his last season at Colorado, he had a completion percentage of 74% (the highest in the FBS), and his deflected pass rate of 6.5% was the third lowest. When protected and in rhythm, Sanders has enough arm strength to get the ball to his targets, and he is accurate when throwing to the lower areas of the field. Sanders still needs to learn when plays end. He tends to drift in the pocket, searching for the perfect play, and that can result in big losses when things don’t open up quickly. He took 42 sacks last season 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.

Maximizing Sanders’ Talent

During the rookie’s halftime in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, Baltimore took advantage of Sanders’ inconsistent pocket management and the Browns’ offensive line struggle 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.

Rees, who took over as Browns’ play caller in Week 10, tried to help Sanders by rolling him out in the pocket and designing quick reads to get the ball out of his hands in rhythm. The Raiders don’t blitz frequently, but given Sanders’ problems in his debut and the injuries on Cleveland’s offensive line, the Browns should expect similar looks in Las Vegas and will need to be prepared with answers. A well-executed, run-based game plan would also help keep Sanders in advantageous down and distance situations.

The Browns’ Future at Quarterback

Stefanski has given no indication that he would consider a permanent change to Sanders, which makes Sunday’s game in Las Vegas potentially pivotal in future QB decision-making. Owner Jimmy Haslam said it was “absolutely” important to evaluate the two rookie quarterbacks on the field this season, and with the move to start Sanders in the wake of Gabriel’s injury, the Browns will have the opportunity to see both passers lead the offense. 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 along the offensive line and in the skill positions, which will be spearheaded by the quarterback position.

The Browns’ quarterback corps is led by rookies Shedeur Sanders (pick number 144) and Dillon Gabriel (pick number 94).

Will the Browns Look for a New QB1 in the Offseason?

The possibilities are moderately high. With two first-round picks, the Browns will have ample opportunity to secure a passer at the top of the draft. The 2026 quarterback class is considered weaker than advertised entering the college football season, but several passers will prove worthy of a first-round rating. Cleveland is projected to possess picks number 2 and 19 based on current records. Daniel Jones will be the most important free agent quarterback, and although the Indianapolis Colts will work to bring back the veteran quarterback, anything is possible in free agency. While the Browns have a high opinion of Gabriel, most teams project him to be a quality number 2 in the league. Perhaps he can change that perception during the last six or seven weeks or prove to be a transition option in 2026. But either way, the Browns are well-positioned to make a bold statement this offseason.