Shedeur Sanders Gets the Nod: Browns Name Rookie QB1
*Dude played the long game, so to speak, and now it’s paying off. The Cleveland Browns have officially named rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as their starter for Sunday’s (11-23-25) game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday (11-19-25), confirming that Sanders steps in for Dillon Gabriel, who remains in concussion protocol.
The Week 12 matchup at Allegiant Stadium (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS) marks Sanders’ first career NFL start. It also makes him the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since the team’s 1999 return—an eye-popping stat in Cleveland’s long-running quest for stability under center.
From Draft Day Slide to Starting Spotlight
Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, arrived in Cleveland after an unexpected draft-day tumble. Despite throwing for over 12,000 yards and 121 touchdowns at Colorado, he dropped to the fifth round, with the Browns selecting him 144th overall—two rounds after picking Gabriel.
He began training camp as the fourth-string QB, buried behind Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco (now with the Bengals), and Kenny Pickett (traded preseason). But an in-game injury to Gabriel in Week 11 opened the door—and now, Sanders is QB1 in a high-stakes NFL debut.
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Sanders’ Pro Debut: Glimpses of Promise and Growing Pains
In his first NFL action, Sanders entered after halftime against the Ravens. He completed 7 of 15 passes for 89 yards, including a 25-yard dart to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The crowd roared for his first completion—a short pass to Cedric Tillman—as chants of “We want Shedeur!” filled the stadium.
But it wasn’t all highlights. He finished with a 2.4 QBR, committed an intentional grounding penalty, lost a fumble on a sack, and was picked off by rookie corner Nate Wiggins. After the game, Sanders said: “I don’t think I played good… We need to be comfortable throwing routes.”
Off-Field Shock: Burglary During the Game
Adding to the chaos, Sanders’ home in Medina County, Ohio, was burglarized during his NFL debut. According to police, masked intruders made off with an estimated $200,000 in valuables. The incident is under investigation, with no suspects named as of press time.
The burglary drew widespread sympathy and added emotional weight to Sanders’ rise, with fans and players alike rallying around him on social media. Some called the moment “cursed,” others declared it a character test for the young quarterback.
Browns Seek Spark Against Raiders’ Leaky Defense
Coach Stefanski praised Sanders’ focus, telling reporters: “Shedeur has done a great job… He’s excited.” The rookie echoed the confidence, saying, “I feel like I’m the guy.”
The Browns (2-8) desperately need production. Their offense ranks 29th in scoring at just 16.8 points per game. Sunday’s opponent, the Raiders, allow 24.1 points per game—offering Sanders a chance to shine against a vulnerable secondary.
Deion Sanders Reacts to His Son’s Big Break
While Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has not confirmed whether he’ll attend the game—Colorado plays Arizona State on Saturday—he previously told reporters that Shedeur’s rise fills him with pride. In past interviews, he called the NFL transition a “journey” and praised his son’s maturity.
Social media lit up with reactions after ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted the news. One viral post shouted: “IT’S SHEDEUR SZN!” Spanish-language outlets like @estoenlinea celebrated his “primer titularidad”—first start—with fans in both football and fútbol spaces buzzing.
What’s at Stake for Sanders and the Browns?
A strong performance could solidify Sanders’ claim to the future of the Browns’ quarterback position—especially with Gabriel’s status uncertain and Cleveland holding two first-round picks in the 2026 draft.
Analysts like Rex Ryan have questioned whether Sanders is being “set up to fail” without full-season reps. But if he shines on Sunday, he may flip the narrative and prove he’s more than a backup. Vegas awaits—and for Sanders, the spotlight has never been brighter.
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MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Can Shedeur Sanders’ Surprising NFL Draft Slide be Blamed on Hate for his Daddy (Deion Sanders) by NFL Owners? | WATCH
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