Shedeur Sanders Named Browns Starter After Gritty First Win
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The Cleveland Browns made their direction clear Monday morning, officially naming rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders the starter moving forward. The announcement comes just one day after Sanders delivered a composed and resilient performance in the Browns’ 24–10 win over the Raiders, a game that marked his first NFL start.
Sanders finished the night completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating landed in the high-80s, and while the numbers were modest, the effort stood out because he did it with only a week of preparation after being thrust into the starting role. Early on, the offense looked like a unit still adjusting to him, but as the game tightened Sanders settled in. He avoided mistakes, kept the offense poised, and hit the key throws that allowed Cleveland to control the second half.
After the game Sanders spoke confidently about his growth potential, noting that what the world saw came off just a single week of work with the starters. That message clearly resonated with the coaching staff.
Dillon Gabriel, who started most of the season before entering concussion protocol, has now officially been cleared. His production had been steady but not dynamic, completing just under 60 percent of his passes with fewer than 1,000 yards through seven games. He protected the ball well at times, but the offense frequently stalled under his command, and his QBR ranked near the bottom of the league.
Kevin Stefanski originally refused to name a starter immediately after Sunday’s win, but after reviewing Sanders’ performance and Gabriel’s season-long output, the staff moved quickly. With Gabriel healthy again, this choice signals the confidence Cleveland has in Sanders’ upside, decision-making, and ability to energize the offense.
If Sunday was the baseline for Sanders with limited preparation, the Browns are eager to see what he can do with a full week of work and the job officially in his hands.
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