CLEVELAND — Browns Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders Struggles in NFL Debut Against Ravens

On Sunday, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his long-awaited NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders entered the game at the start of the second half after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. While the game had started with the Browns leading 6-0 at halftime, Sanders' performance didn't go as expected, and the Browns ultimately fell 23-16.

Sanders completed just 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards, throwing one interception and being sacked twice. Additionally, he carried the ball three times for 16 yards. Reflecting on his performance, Sanders said, "I don't think I played well. I don’t think I played well at all. There’s a lot to work on this week, and we’ll focus on getting more comfortable with the plays and my timing with the receivers, especially [wide receiver] Jerry [Jeudy]. Honestly, that was probably the first time I threw the ball to him this season. But overall, we just need to go back, review things, and focus on next week, so we can prepare better for the things I prefer to do in the offense."

In the final minutes of the game, the Browns drove to the Ravens' 25-yard line, hoping for a game-winning touchdown. However, Sanders was unable to make the plays. He threw three consecutive incompletions, including one on a third-down pass attempt to wide receiver Gage Larvadain in the end zone, which was broken up by Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. The Browns turned the ball over on downs, allowing the Ravens to run out the clock and secure the win.

Cleveland's head coach, Kevin Stefanski, spoke positively of Sanders despite the rough outing. "We trust all our players, and Shedeur is no different. Coming in as a backup quarterback is tough. I know he’ll want to improve on several aspects, but that’s why we practice and prepare every week," Stefanski explained.

Gabriel, who had started the last five games, completed 7 of his 10 passes for 68 yards before being officially ruled out in the third quarter due to the concussion. His exit meant that Sanders had to step in with little preparation with the first-team offense. Stefanski said after the game that if Gabriel clears the concussion protocol by next week, he will start the game against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, if Gabriel isn't cleared, Sanders will get the opportunity for his first NFL start.

Bailey Zappe, currently on the practice squad, is the only other quarterback available on the Browns' roster. While Stefanski refrained from commenting on whether Gabriel would need to practice multiple times to be cleared for Sunday, he confirmed that Gabriel had been evaluated for a concussion at halftime, following a hit during a tackle late in the first half.

With the Ravens leading 10-6 after halftime, Sanders led the offense onto the field to the cheers of the crowd at Huntington Bank Field. The excitement among the fans was palpable, especially after the defense’s impressive performance, highlighted by Myles Garrett's fourth sack, which forced the Ravens to punt. Fans had been chanting “We want Shedeur” during the first half, and they were hoping the rookie would provide a spark for the team.

Sanders completed his first two passes — one to wide receiver Cedric Tillman and another to tight end David Njoku — but was sacked on third down, forcing the Browns to punt. On his second possession, Sanders threw an interception to cornerback Nate Wiggins, but the Browns quickly regained possession when rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger intercepted a pass from Lamar Jackson, which had ricocheted off an offensive lineman's helmet.

Reflecting on his performance, Sanders admitted that the game had been challenging. "It was a rough day overall. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy, but getting back on the field and taking those hits felt great," he said. "This was the first time I’ve been hit since my final game at Colorado, so just feeling that again was a good reminder of why I love this game. Despite everything, I felt fulfilled to be out there."

As for the Browns' coaching staff, this was Sanders' first experience playing with the starting offense since falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Having been initially the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart, Sanders spent much of the training camp practicing with the second- and third-string units. Following a trade that sent Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7, Sanders moved up to the backup role but had yet to take first-team reps in practice. Most of those reps had been given to Gabriel, who had served as the backup before being elevated to the starting role.

Stefanski explained the challenges in preparing both Gabriel and Sanders. "You always try to get your starter ready, and when that starter is a rookie, those reps are invaluable. With two rookie quarterbacks, you do everything in your power to ensure that the most reps possible go to the starter," he said. "We focus on maximizing every opportunity, whether that’s extra practice time or additional meetings."

Shedeur Sanders, a highly regarded prospect before the draft, fell to the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a position that many didn’t expect him to be in. The Browns traded up to secure his spot, a decision that followed the departure of veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, the latter being traded to the Raiders in late August.

Despite his struggles, Sanders' resilience did not go unnoticed. Browns defensive star Myles Garrett shared his thoughts on the rookie’s mindset after the game. "Shedeur wanted to take responsibility for the loss, but we’re not going to let him do that. Football is a team game, and we all have a role in the outcome," Garrett said.

While it was a tough debut for Sanders, he remains optimistic about the future and his ability to grow in the NFL. With Gabriel's status for next week's game still uncertain, the rookie quarterback is preparing to make the most of any opportunity he may get, determined to prove that he’s capable of leading the Browns to victory.