Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders won his debut start on Sunday, earning a second this week against the San Francisco 49ers.
Cleveland turned to Sanders with rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol and unavailable for Week 12. Sanders completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception to help the Browns defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 24-10, and snap a three-game losing streak.
“Obviously, the No. 1 job of a quarterback is to win,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. “So excited to get that first win under his belt. And the next thing is improvement. That’s what young players do. Certainly, young quarterbacks do. You get one game better. And that’s just from working at it. That will be our focus.”
Stefanski said Gabriel has cleared concussion protocol and will be the No. 2 quarterback this week.
With the QB call behind them, the Browns (3-8) get a head start on preparation for the 49ers, who play Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, in pursuit of their third home win of the season. Sunday was Cleveland’s first road win since Week 2 of the 2024 season at Jacksonville.
Cleveland jumped to a 14-0 lead over the Raiders on Sunday. Sanders was not at quarterback — or on the field — when the Browns punched in two touchdowns from the “Wildcat” formation, using rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on direct snap running plays.
Sanders was drafted 50 spots behind Gabriel by the Browns and was at the bottom of the depth chart when the regular season began. The Browns traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and named Gabriel the starter entering Week 5.
–Field Level Media
