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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' highly publicized fifth-round rookie quarterback, came into the NFL after a standout college career at Jackson State and Colorado.
With the Buffaloes, he set the FBS record for career completion percentage (71.8%) and posted a 2024 season with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, earning national awards before entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
That's why, for weeks, Browns fans, analysts, and even local radio hosts have pressed Cleveland to give Sanders more playing time as the offense sputters under Dillon Gabriel.
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Even with the team at 2-7, Sanders had not played a regular‑season snap — that is, until Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Gabriel left the Browns‑Ravens game early in the third quarter while being evaluated for a concussion, and Shedeur Sanders replaced him and took snaps thereafter.
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Cleveland’s rookie class — including both Sanders and Gabriel — has been a focal point of the front office’s longer‑term plan, even as the team’s losing record amplified fan calls for immediate change and for evaluating quarterback alternatives on game day.
Prior to his regular-season debut, Sanders had played two preseason games for the Browns, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards against the Panthers in his debut on Aug. 8.
He then missed the second preseason game with an oblique injury before returning in the preseason finale vs. the Rams (Aug. 23), in which he went 3-of-6 for 14 yards and was sacked five times in limited action.
Before making his regular‑season debut on Sunday, Sanders had missed time with a back issue that limited his practice reps and game availability.
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Sanders ended the day with a 4‑for‑16 passing line (25%) for 47 yards and an interception, along with three carries for 16 rushing yards in almost a full half of action.
His biggest play of the game came late in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard strike to rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
However, while he made some impressive throws and plays with his feet, he was unable to maintain drives and consistently push the ball downfield.
More importantly, the Browns didn't score any points with him under center, and they lost the game 23-16.
Looking ahead, if Gabriel’s concussion proves minor, he will likely resume starting next week, sending Sanders back to the bench.
That said, coach Kevin Stefanski could decide otherwise based on what he saw.
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