Cleveland Browns Elevate Rookie Shedeur Sanders to Starting Quarterback Role

Cleveland, OH – November 19, 2025 – The Cleveland Browns have officially named rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as their starter for the upcoming Week 12 fixture against the Las Vegas Raiders. The decision comes after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel sustained a concussion during the Browns’ recent loss to the Baltimore Ravens, forcing Sanders into an unexpected debut. This move marks a significant juncture for the fifth-round selection from the 2025 NFL Draft, who was initially viewed as a developmental prospect and began the season as the team’s third-string quarterback.

Sanders’ journey to the starting role has been a rapid ascent through the Browns’ depth chart since his selection. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he was the fourth quarterback added to the roster during the offseason, positioning him behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Throughout training camp, Sanders was primarily focused on development, receiving no first-team repetitions and operating as QB4. General Manager Andrew Berry described Sanders’ transition to the professional game as akin to learning a new language, highlighting the steep learning curve involved.

The quarterback landscape in Cleveland shifted considerably before the regular season commenced on September 7. Kenny Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, moving Sanders up to the third spot on the depth chart behind Flacco and Gabriel. Further changes occurred on October 7 when Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, elevating Sanders to the primary backup position. This series of events positioned Sanders for his eventual call to action.

That call came unexpectedly during the Browns’ Week 11 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. With the team trailing, Gabriel suffered a concussion, necessitating Sanders’ entry at the start of the second half. His professional debut was characterized by an uneven performance, completing 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards, throwing one interception, and enduring two sacks. His second-half Total QBR registered at 2.4, reflecting the challenges of an unplanned entry into a regular-season game. Despite the difficult circumstances, the 23-year-old now prepares for his first career start. On Sunday, November 24, at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS, Sanders will become the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise’s return to Cleveland in 1999, facing the same Las Vegas Raiders team that acquired former Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett earlier in the season.

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The elevation of Sanders prompts several critical questions regarding the Browns’ immediate strategy and long-term quarterback planning. These include how head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees plan to adapt the offensive scheme to maximize the rookie’s skill set, the implications for the team’s quarterback depth, and the potential impact on future personnel decisions, particularly concerning the franchise’s long-term signal-caller.

Browns’ Strategic Support for Sanders’ Debut

The Browns coaching staff, led by head coach Kevin Stefanski, has been meticulous in their approach to Sanders’ development despite his limited practice reps with the first-team offense. Stefanski, now in his sixth season, has implemented modified practice structures, including splitting the field to maximize repetitions during the summer and establishing post-practice sessions specifically for developmental players like Sanders. While Sanders did not receive the primary backup reps that Gabriel did during the season, he has consistently run the scout team offense and participated in walk-through settings, allowing him to familiarize himself with offensive concepts.

Following his debut against the Ravens, Sanders acknowledged the value of these supplementary reps for understanding offensive schemes but highlighted the critical need to develop chemistry with the starting unit. "I don’t think I played good at all. I think there’s a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable with 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 stated. For the first time, Sanders will receive the full complement of first-team practice repetitions this week, a crucial step in building that essential rapport.

Coach Stefanski expressed confidence in the adjusted preparation for Sanders. "You want to make sure that all the concepts are things that he feels confident in," Stefanski noted on Wednesday. "Obviously having been around him over the months, you get a good sense of the things that fit his eyes, so to speak. So definitely want to lean into those types of things and he’s working very hard." This tailored approach aims to mitigate the challenges of a rookie quarterback making his first start. — Oyefusi

Evaluating Sanders’ Strengths and Areas for Growth

Shedeur Sanders brings notable collegiate experience and inherent traits to the professional level. His primary strengths include exceptional ball placement and poise, cultivated over 50 starts across his collegiate career—25 at Jackson State and 25 at Colorado. In his final season at Colorado, Sanders achieved an FBS-high 74% completion percentage, coupled with a third-lowest off-target rate of 6.5%. These statistics underscore his accuracy when operating from a clean pocket and in rhythm, particularly on throws to the underneath areas of the field, where his arm strength proves sufficient.

However, areas for improvement have been identified, most notably his tendency to prolong plays by drifting within the pocket in search of an optimal outcome. This habit can result in significant yardage losses when plays do not materialize quickly. At Colorado, Sanders was sacked an FBS-high 42 times, highlighting this vulnerability. As he adapts to the speed and complexity of the NFL, a key developmental objective will be for Sanders to more effectively identify when to release the ball to a checkdown option or to utilize his mobility for positive rushing yardage, thereby minimizing negative plays. — Reid

Maximizing Sanders’ Skill Set in the Browns’ Offense

During Sanders’ half of play against the Ravens, Baltimore’s defense aggressively exploited the rookie’s inconsistent pocket management and the Browns’ struggling offensive line by deploying a variety of blitz packages. Against the blitz, Sanders registered an 0-for-5 passing performance and completed just 1 of 7 passes with an interception and two sacks while under duress, according to ESPN Research. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who assumed playcalling duties in Week 10, attempted to support Sanders by incorporating rollouts and quick-read designs to facilitate a quicker release of the ball.

Looking ahead to the Raiders matchup, while Las Vegas generally does not frequently blitz, the Browns must anticipate similar defensive strategies given Sanders’ debut performance and significant injuries along their offensive line. Starting tackles Jack Conklin and Cam Robinson are currently listed as day-to-day with knee injuries, potentially forcing the Browns to rely on backup linemen. To counteract these challenges, a meticulously executed run-first game plan will be crucial. Establishing the run early and consistently could help maintain advantageous down-and-distance situations, reducing pressure on Sanders and allowing him to operate in more manageable circumstances. — Oyefusi

Dillon Gabriel’s Future and Stefanski’s Stance

Immediately following the Week 11 loss to Baltimore, Coach Stefanski affirmed that Dillon Gabriel would reclaim the starting quarterback position once he clears concussion protocol. Stefanski explicitly stated he would not speculate on whether Sanders could retain the starting role with a strong performance against the Raiders. This firm stance aligns with Stefanski’s previous comments and his consistent support for Gabriel as QB1, even as the offense has only surpassed 20 points once in Gabriel’s four starts since taking over in Week 5.

Gabriel’s performance as the starter has been statistically challenging, evidenced by a 30.9 Total QBR, which ranks 31st out of 32 qualifying passers, trailing only Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward. An impressive showing from Sanders in Week 12 would undoubtedly complicate Stefanski’s decision for the Browns’ Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers. However, Stefanski has provided no indication that he is considering a permanent change to Sanders at this time, rendering Sunday’s game at Las Vegas a potentially pivotal audition for the rookie’s long-term prospects. "I’m obviously focused on this game," Stefanski reiterated on Wednesday. — Oyefusi

Impact on 2026 NFL Draft Strategy

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has emphasized the "absolute" importance of evaluating both rookie quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, on the field this season. With Sanders now slated to start due to Gabriel’s injury, the Browns will gain valuable game-tape on both passers leading the offense.

Before his concussion, Gabriel’s four starts were marked by struggles, positioning his Total QBR at a near-bottom league ranking. Sanders’ debut, while challenging, is internally believed to be a precursor to a more polished performance with a full week of practice. The Browns possess substantial draft capital for the 2026 NFL Draft, holding 10 picks, including two first-round selections. Given an elite defensive unit that has consistently outperformed an offense that has "woefully lagged behind," Cleveland is widely expected to prioritize upgrades along the offensive line and at key skill positions. The quarterback position will undoubtedly headline these considerations. The evaluation of Sanders and Gabriel over the remainder of the season will be instrumental in shaping the team’s approach to leveraging their significant draft assets. — Oyefusi

Offseason Quarterback Outlook for Cleveland

The likelihood of the Cleveland Browns exploring external options for a long-term starting quarterback in the upcoming offseason is considered moderately high. With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including one acquired from a 2025 trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns are uniquely positioned to target a top-tier passer. Current projections, based on team records and ESPN’s Football Power Index, estimate these selections could fall at Nos. 2 and 19 overall. This represents an exceptional opportunity for the franchise to secure a foundational talent at the sport’s most critical position.

While the 2026 quarterback draft class is currently perceived as less robust than initially advertised heading into the college football season, it is anticipated that several prospects will ultimately emerge as worthy of first-round consideration. On the free-agent market, Daniel Jones is projected to be the top available quarterback. Although the Indianapolis Colts are expected to prioritize retaining the veteran quarterback, the fluidity of NFL free agency suggests that all possibilities remain open.

Internally, while the Browns value Dillon Gabriel, many within league circles project him as a quality backup quarterback rather than a long-term starter. His performance over the remaining six to seven weeks of the season could potentially alter this perception, or establish him as a viable bridge option for the 2026 season. Regardless of Gabriel’s or Sanders’ performance, the Browns’ substantial draft capital and perceived needs position them to make a significant statement regarding their quarterback future this offseason. — Fowler