Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his official NFL debut on Sunday, replacing an injured Dillon Gabriel in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The game turned out to be a trial by fire for the young quarterback, who went 4-for-16 with an interception and 47 yards through the air. Sanders was also sacked twice during the game as the Browns went on to lose, 23-16.
Sanders was critical of his play after the game, but reports indicate that he had more to deal with off the field after he returned home.
According to Pro Football Talk, Sanders' home was broken into while he was playing in Cleveland. No suspects have been identified and it's currently unclear if anything was stolen from Sanders' home, but the break-in seems to be consistent with similar incidents involving professional athletes.
Athlete Burglaries Have Become Common
NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Travis Kelce have all had their homes broke into. The same can be said for NBA players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Ja Morant.
Earlier this year, several men were charged by federal prosecutors for their roles in a string of burglaries involving professional athletes. The complaint alleged that the men stole more than $2 million in valuables, and included photos with jewelry taken from the home of NBA player Bobby Portis.
On the field, Sanders may get a chance to redeem himself in the Browns' next game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Sunday that Sanders will start if Dillon Gabriel is unable to clear concussion protocol.
"I think you've seen, it was just rough, overall," Sanders said after the game.
"It was a rough day, overall. But the thing that I was excited about is just being able to get out there. This is the first time I got hit since my last game at Colorado. So, just having that feeling back is good, and I feel fulfilled overall when it comes to being out there, practicing, going in between the lines, seeing what it's actually like."
What's Next for Shedeur Sanders?
Sanders expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back from a tough start, and said that he felt it would have been possible to put the Browns in position to win against the Ravens last week.
"I know I'm made for it. I don't think there was a doubt in my mind that that final drive, [we were] going to go down there and score," Sanders said. The Ravens were able to run out the clock after the Browns turned the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter.
"Things happened and we didn't, but I was just excited because I knew what I was going to be able to do out there."
If Gabriel can't play, the NFL world will see Sanders make the first official start of his professional career on Sunday in Las Vegas.
This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.