The Cleveland Browns have seen enough. Kevin Stefanski has named Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback. The announcement comes on the heels of the team's decisive road victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, a game in which Sanders started due to Dillon Gabriel suffering a concussion the week prior.
This historic victory saw Sanders become the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995, breaking a nearly three-decade-long drought.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSanders’ statistical line against the Raiders was not a model of efficiency. He completed 11 of 20 attempts for 209 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
However, the eye test was obvious.
Sanders brings a crucial element the Browns’ offense has lacked since Joe Flacco’s first tenure with the team in 2023: the threat of the deep ball. Sanders consistently looked to push the ball down the field, resulting in much-needed chunk plays through the air that kept the opposing defense honest.
This development immediately settles the quarterback depth chart. Former starter Dillon Gabriel, who has now cleared concussion protocol, officially moves into the backup role, a position many observers felt was his natural fit all along.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Browns will move forward with Sanders at the helm for the remainder of the season, hoping the young signal-caller can build on his historic start and provide the consistency the team has desperately sought under center.
Embedded content: https://brownswire.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/browns/2025/11/24/shedeur-sanders-first-start-images-of-browns-rookies-win-vs-raiders/87446003007/
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns name Shedeur Sanders starting QB in next matchup vs. 49ers
AdvertisementAdvertisement