NFL News: Shedeur Sanders Embraces ‘Can’t-Miss Moment’ as Browns’ New Starting QB Amid Rookie Rollercoaster
By Marcus Hale, NFL Insider
November 20, 2025
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders couldn’t hide his grin Wednesday when asked about his surprise promotion to Cleveland Browns starter for Sunday’s road tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders. “It’s going to be exciting. I know a lot of y’all are going to be there. You can’t miss it. You cannot miss this moment,” Sanders told reporters in Berea, Ohio, his voice buzzing with the kind of unfiltered hype that echoes his larger-than-life father, Deion. The fifth-round pick out of Colorado steps into the spotlight with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel sidelined in concussion protocol, marking Sanders’ first full NFL start—and the Browns’ 42nd different QB since 1999. As Cleveland’s carousel spins once more, Sanders’ debut half against Baltimore last weekend offered a glimpse of promise laced with pitfalls.
From Draft-Day Surprise to Emergency Backup: Sanders’ Whirlwind Path to QB1
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL journey has been anything but scripted. Projected as a first-round talent after throwing for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns in his senior year at Colorado—where he led the Buffaloes to an 8-5 record under dad Deion’s watch—the poised pocket passer tumbled to the fifth round in April’s draft, snagged by the Browns at No. 144 overall. Whispers of off-field drama and a perceived “diva” vibe during pre-draft workouts contributed to the slide, but Cleveland GM Andrew Berry saw untapped potential in the 23-year-old’s accuracy (71.8% completion) and poise under pressure.
Sanders arrived as QB4 behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, plus fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (No. 85 overall). Training camp reps were sparse—mostly with the third team—but a preseason debut shone: 14-of-18 for 162 yards and two scores in a win over the Bears. Roster cuts bumped him to emergency QB3, and trades of Pickett (to Raiders) and Flacco (to Bengals) elevated him to backup by October. Last Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Ravens thrust him into action at halftime after Gabriel’s concussion, yielding a rocky relief stint: 8-of-18, 89 yards, one INT, and a 2.4 QBR.
Coach Kevin Stefanski, fresh off a two-year extension through 2027, praised Sanders’ preparation: “He’s gonna start at quarterback. Dillon is still in the concussion protocol… We gotta put a plan together.” With a full week of first-team snaps, Stefanski believes Sanders can “produce a better showing,” leaning on an elite defense led by Myles Garrett (9.5 sacks) to mask offensive growing pains.
‘Mountain of Pressure’: The High Stakes for Sanders in Vegas
Sanders’ start isn’t just a milestone—it’s a audition under the brightest lights. Raiders QB Geno Smith, who mentored Shedeur in high school, offered a nod: “I’m happy for my guy… Unfortunately it’s against us.” But pressure mounts from all angles. Analysts like John Peterlin on 92.3 The Fan warned of a “mountain of pressure,” noting, “This game might be your only legitimate chance to show people what you can do… He doesn’t have a long runway like other players do.”
The Browns (4-6) sit two games back in the AFC North playoff hunt, desperate for a spark after ranking 30th in scoring (16.2 PPG). Sanders faces a Raiders defense allowing 24.1 points per game, but Vegas’ dome and Aidan O’Connell’s efficiency could test his arm. A win would make Sanders the first Browns rookie starter to notch a debut victory since Eric Zeier in 1995—17 others have tried and failed. Internally, belief runs deep: Sanders’ 2025 draft class included two first-rounders for the O-line, signaling investment in his protection.
Off the field, drama swirls. Sanders’ Medina County home was burglarized Sunday during his debut—thieves nabbed $200,000 in goods, caught on security cams fleeing in under 12 minutes. Laughing it off Wednesday, Sanders quipped, “None of my jewelry got took anyway.” Deion, ever the hype man, beamed from afar: “Proud to see my boy make his NFL debut.”
- Sanders’ Rookie Stats (Through Week 11):
- Games/Starts: 1 relief appearance (0 starts)
- Completions/Attempts: 8/18 (44.4%)
- Yards/TDs/INTs: 89/0/1
- QBR: 2.4
- College Highlights: 2024 Heisman finalist; 74.2% career completion
- Browns QB Carousel Since 1999:
- Total Starters: 41 (pre-Sanders)
- Rookies Who Started: 18 (0-1 record in debuts)
- Longest Tenures: Baker Mayfield (14 starts, 2018-21), Derek Anderson (16 starts, 2006-09)
- Current Streak: 5 different starters in 2025
Raiders Prep: Geno Smith Eyes Familiar Foe in Shedeur
Las Vegas (5-5) welcomes the chaos, with Smith—Shedeur’s high school acquaintance—bracing for the matchup. “Known him since he was in high school,” Smith said, blending congratulations with game-face grit. Raiders DC Patrick Graham schemes to exploit Sanders’ inexperience, targeting quick pressures after his Ravens INT.
For Cleveland, the game is pivotal: A win vaults them to .500 and keeps wildcard hopes alive, potentially buying Sanders more rope. Loss? Back to the drawing board, with 2026 draft capital (two firsts) eyeing QB upgrades like Texas’ Arch Manning.
Social buzz amplifies the stakes. X lit up with @923TheFan’s clip of Peterlin’s pressure talk, racking 900+ views, while AP’s “Showman” headline trended among Browns faithful. Deion’s podcast drops teased draft secrets, including Shedeur’s bold Ravens chat: “Why would I sit behind Lamar for 10 years?”
Shedeur Sanders’ ascent from draft afterthought to Vegas headliner embodies the Browns’ eternal quest for stability at QB—a position that’s chewed up legends and launched memes alike. His “can’t-miss” vow? Pure Sanders swagger, channeling dad’s flair into a moment ripe for magic. With the Raiders looming and a city starved for hope, Sunday could etch Shedeur into Cleveland lore—or hasten the next spin of the carousel. Either way, as he put it: Don’t blink.