Ahead of the first home start of his career in Week 13 against the 49ers, rookie QB Shedeur Sanders got some great news on his future with the Cleveland Browns — at least his near future. The former Jackson State and Colorado quarterback was projected to be a first- or second-round pick in this past draft, yet fell all the way to the fifth round due in part to some off-field concerns.
Sanders began training camp fourth on the depth chart in Cleveland, behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as a fellow rookie, third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. Pickett was traded to the Raiders coming out of the preseason to make the roster a little less crowded, and Flacco began the season as the starter. However, he was traded to the Bengals back in October, and Gabriel assumed starting duties.
When Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the Ravens, Sanders stepped in and played the entire second half, getting his first taste of real NFL action. It wasn’t pretty, as he went 4 of 16 passing for 47 yards and an interception, also taking two sacks. It wasn’t a good debut, but Sanders stepped up in first start the following week against the Raiders, going 11 of 20 for 209 yards with a touchdown and a pick, only taking one sack in a 24-10 victory.
Shedeur Sanders Might Start the Rest of the Season for the Cleveland Browns
Ian Maule/GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 in the game at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
On Sunday morning, multiple reports came out suggesting the Browns are interested in getting an extended look at Sanders as the starter. When Cleveland drafted two rookie quarterbacks back in April, the expectation was they’d give each a run as the starter to see what they’ve got. Gabriel had his turn, and now Sanders has his.
“Yes, Shedeur Sanders makes his first home start today for the Cleveland Browns,” said NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on NFL Game Day Morning. “Impressive one last week, had the full week of reps, had the game plan tailored for him. Took some deep shots, enough to win, enough that the Browns wanted to see more.”
“So he starts again today,” Rapoport continued. “My understanding is that the Browns — with a good performance [by Sanders], with a performance they can be proud of — that he could start the rest of the way. And yes, it’s about that Shedeur will have earned it if that’s the case. But they also want to evaluate him, the Browns want to get out of this season knowing whether or not they have a franchise quarterback. With two first-round picks coming up in this draft, they have to know.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the same thing, writing on X/Twitter, “Browns are open to giving Shedeur Sanders an extended look for the rest of this season, just as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel got in the first half of this season.”
The Cleveland Browns Have Two First-Round Picks in the 2026 Draft
The Browns have one of the best defenses in the NFL, with a star in ED Myles Garrett who’s on track to win his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award and break the league’s single-season sack record. Their offense is among the worst in the NFL, but they have the ammunition to start to fix that next year.
The rest of this season will be critical for Sanders, as he’ll need to play well for the Browns to pass on a quarterback in the 2026 draft and go into next season with him as the starter. From what it sounds like, he’ll have every opportunity to prove himself.
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