In his third start in the NFL, and with his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, in the house, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders showed why he could be the team’s franchise quarterback this year and beyond.
Sanders completed 23-of-42 passes for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The fifth-round pick in this year’s draft also rushed for 29 yards and another touchdown.
Additionally, Sanders led the Browns on a fourth-quarter drive that put Cleveland in position to tie the game late, but the Browns’ two-point conversion attempt failed, and they fell to the Titans 31-29 at Huntington Bank Field.
Like any player, Sanders, who wasn’t on the field for the two-point conversion as running back Quinshon Judkins was the quarterback in the wildcat formation, wanted to be on the field, but he’s okay with coach Kevin Stefanski’s call.
“I would wish I would always have the ball in my hand, but that’s not what football is,” Sanders said. “Sometimes you got to run the ball, sometimes you got to kick a field goal. You know, everything like that’s the game. That’s the most important thing, is the ball. So in any situation, of course, you would want to. But I know we practiced something, and we executed it in practice, and we just didn’t seem to this day. So, I would never go against, you know, kind of like what the call was or anything.”
While he lost the game, Sanders did outplay the number one overall pick in this year’s draft, Titans quarterback Cam Ward(14/28, 117 yards, 2 TDs, interception).
Sanders, who is the first Browns quarterback with 300-plus passing yards, three-plus passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown in the same game since 1950, discussed what went right for him and the Browns’ offense.
“What was working for me, I’ll say, God,” Sanders said. “God was working for me, honestly. The way how he, I would say, let me be mentally clear out there. The game is mental, and a lot of different situations. I would say, when it’s a lot of confusion, when it’s a lot of adversity, when it’s a lot of things, you know, going on, that’s when I feel like God steps in the most for me, to be able to help me stay mentally clear and mentally close to him. So, I would say that’s definitely what was working for me today.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says he saw some good things from Sanders.
“Yeah, he fought throughout the game, which we knew he would,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, with any young player, there’s gonna be ups and downs, and I thought there were some really, really, really good moments. He’ll keep learning from some of the plays that he wants back, but some really good moments.”
Last week, Sanders and Jerry Jeudy had a dispute on the sidelines. This week, the two connected on a 60-yard touchdown, and Sanders was excited to connect with him.
“It was truly exciting being able to connect with him, because I know the season in a lot…kind of like, hasn’t gone the way he wanted to this year,” Sanders said. “So, the fact that one decision from me could bring somewhat joy in his life and be able to help the team out overall, that brings me peace, that brings me happiness. So, just being able to just see clearly, being able to do what I need, and the staff and everybody helping me and getting me prepared how I need to get prepared for games and everything, I’m just thankful for it.”
Cleveland will have multiple first-round picks in the 2026 draft, so the Browns may get their franchise quarterback there, but no matter what direction they go in, you have to like what we have seen from Sanders thus far.
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