It was the usual for the Browns on Sunday in their home game against the Titans, a team that came into the week with just one win and left with two. Cleveland found more dazzling ways to lose a winnable game, by a 31-29 count, dropping the record here in 2025 to 3-10, a disappointment by any measure. Shedeur Sanders is now 1-3 as the team’s starter, though there was one thing decidedly new about this outcome: The Browns lost despite a very good quarterback performance, not because of a poor quarterback performance.
The Browns were gouged by the Titans running game, and were knocked backward not only by their decision to go for a two-point conversion after a fourth-quarter touchdown, but by the odd play calls and the failure to execute on those conversion attempts.
Cleveland could have played for a tie and overtime, but coach Kevin Stefanski opted to be aggressive. Both conversion attempts went haywire, and that was the difference in the loss.
Shedeur Sanders Looked Like an NFL Quarterback
But now the good news, and for the Browns–even though it was the Titans and it was a loss–Sunday was a good day. That’s because Sanders looked the part of a qualified NFL quarterback, which is pretty good progress for just his third start. Sanders was 23-for-42 passing on the day, with 364 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Again, it is Tennessee, but the Titans had not allowed a 300-yard passing day all year.
Team insider Mary Kay Cabot said that, for the Browns, Sanders is passing his audition as the potential 2026 starter.
Said Cabot on the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast: “I really feel like he bolstered his case. What’s happening right now with the Cleveland Browns, they are auditioning Shedeur Sanders for the starting job. That’s what’s happening here. He is going to have four more games to do that—this was his third start.
“And each week, he has done some good things, he has done some bac things. But I really thought he passed a lot of tests today. There were a number of green flags today. Coming back at the end of the game, that’s what you want your quarterback to be able to do.”
Browns Could Buy Into Shedeur Sanders for 2026
If the Browns are buying into Sanders more and more, and the green flags are, indeed, there, then there is a double bonus to be had for both team and player. The Browns have their pick in the 2026 NFL draft intact, but they also have the Jaguars‘ first-rounder on hand. Jacksonville’s might be in the 20s, but it is still a first-rounder, and the Browns will almost certainly be picking in the Top 5. It’s currently No. 4.
With Sanders in place, the Browns could focus on beefing up the struggling offensive line (which is heading into free agency, en masse) and the weak receiver unit. It’s expected that this draft will be loaded with top WR talent.
Offensive Line, WR Loom as Big Browns Needs
Thus it is a potential double win for the Browns. Perhaps they have a quarterback they can believe in, and perhaps they can give that quarterback a better quality offense around him. Sanders’ audition is not over yet–and it gets tougher going forward.
“Shedeur Sanders showed enough to have the Browns thinking, ‘Hmm, could he possibly be the guy? Do we absolutely have to draft a quarterback in the first round?’ …” Cabot said.
“Do they have to do that or can they spend those two picks on a wide receiver, on an offensive tackle or something like that? Shedeur has four more chances to show he is their guy.”
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