Shedeur Sanders had been heavily linked to the Las Vegas Raiders in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, but he ended up going in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns.
On Sunday, Sanders made his first NFL start on the road in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Heading into the game, the rookie quarterback just wanted to prove he belonged, but many wondered if he would want to stick it to the Raiders for not drafting him.
However, after leading the Browns to a win, Sanders was asked if he wanted to prove the Raiders wrong and had a clear response.
“I was a fifth-round pick. I got skipped by everybody at least five times,” Sanders said when asked if he wanted to prove the Raiders wrong.
In his first NFL start, Sanders went 11-of-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, as he helped the Browns win 24-10. It was a solid performance from Sanders, who was able to manage the offense well.
Sanders Said He Felt Relaxed in 1st Browns Start
Although Sanders was making his first NFL start, he didn’t feel all that nervous.
Instead, Sanders said he felt well-prepared and was confident he was going to have success against the Raiders.
“I’m not gonna lie. I felt very relaxed. Half of that comes from preparing, studying, and knowing I got God on my side,” Sanders said postgame.
Sanders was poised in the pocket and generally made the right reads to help the Browns have plenty of success.
“This is the first time I have never had stress. I did the work. I did everything I was supposed to do,” Sanders added.
Sanders ‘Thankful’ for Opportunity to Start
Getty(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Browns announced Sanders as the starter due to Dillon Gabriel being in concussion protocol.
Yet, Cleveland wouldn’t say if Sanders could remain the starter if he has a good performance. So, after his first NFL start, the rookie said he was thankful for the opportunity to start.
“Being a backup and everything, sometimes you have to compromise your personality and change the way you do things to never step on anybody’s toes,” Sanders said. “So the fact that I got an opportunity and I was able to show the organization, show everybody, who I really am — that was truly exciting. I was off balance for a little bit the past couple months, my life, it was different. But I’m thankful to be back where I am.”
Sanders said on the broadcast that he feels like with a full offseason as the starter, the Browns offense could be dangerous.
Stefanski Noncommittal on Sanders Remaining at QB
Despite Sanders having plenty of success and leading the Browns to a win, head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t confirm he would remain the starter.
Instead, Stefanski said he was pleased with how the offense looked today. But they are only taking it one day at a time.
“I’m proud of him. Proud of this offense,” Stefanski said. “A ton of things to learn from, but I’m just going to worry about today.”
The Browns will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
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