On Sunday, Nov. 21, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will get this first career start.
The chance will come against the two-win Las Vegas Raiders, who are being led by veteran signal caller Geno Smith. Smith, who's been a five-team journeyman, is in his first year with the Raiders.
While he is facing some struggles this season, he opted to dish out praise to the former Colorado Buffalo ahead of Sunday's matchup.
"I'm happy for my guy, man," Smith said. "[Shedeur Sanders is] a guy who I've been talking to for a long time and just happy to see him getting a shot. But unfortunately, it's against us, but happy to see him get a shot."
On the season, Smith has passed for 2,082 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on a 66.3% completion rating. The Raiders' two wins have come against the now-9-2 New England Patriots back in Week 1 and the Tennessee Titans in Week 6.
The biggest issue for them has been consistency on both sides of the ball, something the Browns can relate to.
They enter Sunday's battle with the team's two wins coming against the Green Bay Packers, 13-10, in Week 3 and the strugglesome Miami Dolphins in Week 7. Prior to starting Sanders, the team was trotting out rookie Dillon Gabriel, who slung the rock for 937 yards and two touchdowns.
While those numbers aren't too shabby, his tape has shown a different storyline, riddled with struggles and inconsistencies. The opportunity for Sanders to start came after a first-half injury last weekend to Gabriel against the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, for the first time in his career, Sanders will get a chance to receive first-team reps and real practice time.
"I'm more of a feel type of person," Sanders said. "That's how I learn. That's how I do everything ... I gotta be out there and feel it. I gotta move around. It's like so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best. I'm doing everything in my power and the team is doing everything to help me get prepared."
When speaking on his chance to start, Sanders showed he's been waiting for the oppurtunity.
"I'm truly excited for that," Sanders said. "Knowing that I have a piece of [the] offense, and a say so in how things fit my eye, placing the players exactly where they need to be, seeing how the come in and out of routes, seeing the structure of the o-linemen, seeing their sets, just having a feeling."
In his NFL debut, he tossed 4-of-16 through the air for 47 yards and gave away one interception. He was also sacked twice.
It wasn't a picture perfect debut for the fifth-round selection, but it really can be only up from here.
When speaking on Sanders and the chance to face him, Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty joked about the meeting.
"Should be a great opportunity for him, but I know my defense is going to come ready to attack him," Jeanty said.
While everyone awaits to see what Sanders will put out on the field on Sunday, no matter how good he plays, Cleveland is expected to move back to Gabriel.
On Friday, Nov. 21, he was seen practicing in full gear, just days after entering concussion protocol. As of now, he is not expected to be a backup to Sanders on Sunday, but if he is cleared ahead of them, he could be on the sideline in the same capacity as Sanders was just a week ago.
The Raiders and Browns will clash from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with a 4:05 p.m. EST kickoff time.
Both teams enter with just two measly wins on the 2025 season.