Shedeur Sanders finally got his opportunity to start, and he didn't waste it. He flashed the potential that once made many believe he was a first-round talent, leading the Browns to a 24-10 road win over the Raiders.
The former Colorado QB threw for 209 yards on 11-of-20 passing with a touchdown and an interception. The interception showed how far he still has to go to become the type of QB he wants to be in the NFL. A first-quarter deep ball to Isaiah Bond flashed the arm talent that makes him worth investing in.
In completing a 52-yard pass to Bond, Sanders broke a 15-game Browns streak of not completing a pass of more than 50 yards. He completed a second 50+ yarder later, when a swing pass to Dylan Sampson turned into a 66-yard touchdown.
Sanders' performance was enough to force Cleveland's hands. Even with Dillon Gabriel clearing concussion protocol, Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that Sanders would start next week against the 49ers.
Browns are naming Shedeur Sanders as their starting QB. pic.twitter.com/VFL4mSDGc1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2025
The Browns will start Shedeur Sanders against the 49ers
Cleveland's handling of Sanders has been questioned since the franchise drafted him in the fifth round of the draft in April. It never felt like the rookie from Colorado was getting a fair shake in the QB competition in the preseason, and he received zero first-team reps until the week of practice leading up to his first start against the Raiders. It's no wonder he struggled when he came off the bench in relief of the injured Gabriel a week ago against the Ravens.
But now, in spite of themselves, the Browns may have stumbled upon their franchise quarterback. He played well enough to earn another start. The Browns would be wise to move forward with Sanders for the rest of the season to see if he continues showing the promise that would make the team bypass taking a QB again in the 2026 draft after investing draft capital into two signal-callers in the 2025 cycle.
Sanders will continue to make rookie mistakes. Against a Robert Saleh-coached Niners defense, he might even look overwhelmed on Sunday. There will be growing pains, like there are for any young QB. But the potential is there if the Browns are willing to let Sanders push through them.
Sanders might just be the franchise QB the Browns have been searching for for so long. He's finally getting his opportunity to show it.