Report: Browns Open to Giving Shedeur Sanders Extended Look as QB1

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns are open to giving Shedeur Sanders an extended look as the starting QB for the rest of the season.

The Browns were impressed with what they saw in Sanders' first NFL start last Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie went 11-of-20 for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Sanders became the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999 and is the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1995.

However, the youngster told reporters on Wednesday that he's "not comfortable" heading into his second start against the San Francisco 49ers.

"I'm definitely not comfortable, though, so that's first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there," Sanders said on Wednesday. "But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes, it could be taken at any point in time.

"So I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week, I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there."

The Browns will miss the playoffs again this season. The rest of the campaign will be used to determine if Sanders has what it takes to be a franchise QB.

If he doesn't, Cleveland will probably draft a QB in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Sanders said his connection with the starting offense is growing. This week was only the second week Sanders got first-team reps.

"Day by day, minute by minute, meeting by meeting, of course," Sanders said. "I'm getting a little bit more comfortable and comfortable in being in that role, being in that position. They're getting more comfortable with me, also. So I'm excited, I'm happy for it, and I'm just thankful."

Multiple NFL execs spoke to Jeff Howe of The Athletic about Sanders after his first NFL start. Here's what they had to say:

"I would definitely play it out for a while and see what you have with him."

"He looked fine, like he's got a chance (to be a starter). He made a couple of nice plays and throws; he also had a few rookie mistakes."

"I'll give him credit. He's tough, just like he was in college."

"I like his confidence. It doesn't turn me off at all."

Sanders made several good throws against the Raiders, showing off his strong arm and accuracy.

Let's see how he does against a strong 49ers defense this Sunday.