Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has issued a defiant message following his career-first NFL start and win over the Raiders last weekend as he gears up to take on the 49ers
08:10 ET, 27 Nov 2025
Shedeur Sanders won with the Browns on his first career NFL start
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Shedeur Sanders won with the Browns on his first career NFL start(Image: Getty)
Shedeur Sanders isn't getting "comfortable" as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback just yet, despite the rookie securing a win in his first career NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sanders, 24, was drafted in the fifth round by the Browns following a spectacular slide in the NFL Draft. The former Colorado standout was widely projected to be a top-five pick but found himself slipping to round five before the Browns took him off the board after selecting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third.
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The Browns had also signed veteran Joe Flacco in free agency, but traded the 40-year-old to the Cincinnati Bengals, thrusting Gabriel to the starting spot with Sanders as his fellow rookie's backup. Gabriel threw for 937 yards for seven touchdowns and two interceptions — but only managed to win one game from five before missing last weekend's clash with the Raiders through injury.
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Sanders was named starter and made an immediate impact as Cleveland won 24-10, throwing for 209 yards, including a 50-plus-yard downfield completion to Isaiah Bond, one touchdown, one interception, and suffering one sack. The QB secured the win in his career-first NFL start and has already been named the starter for this weekend's home game against the San Francisco 49ers, who are looking to get franchise quarterback Brock Purdy back up to speed following a lengthy absence due to turf toe.
Despite riding the high of last weekend's victory, Sanders has insisted that he's not going to get too "comfortable," as he looks to seize his NFL opportunity. "I'm definitely not comfortable, though, so that's first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there," Sanders said Wednesday.
"But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes, it could be taken at any point in time. So I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week, I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there."
Shedeur Sanders
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Shedeur Sanders was victorious in his first career NFL start(Image: Getty Images)
Sanders first practiced with the Browns' starting offense last week before his first start. He was playing third and second string since his 144th overall selection.
"Day by day, minute by minute, meeting by meeting, of course," Sanders added. "I'm getting a little bit more comfortable and comfortable in being in that role, being in that position. They're getting more comfortable with me, also. So I'm excited, I'm happy for it, and I'm just thankful."
A lot has been said about Sanders' relationship with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Despite appearing not to be the coach's favorite, Stefanski praised Sanders for his composure last weekend.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
"He's always done a nice job of that," Stefanski said. "What we appreciate about all of our players is authenticity.
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"He's the same guy every single day. Obviously game day, there's juice that comes with that.
"There's excitement that comes with that, but he's played that position for a long time. He knows how to make sure he keeps the main thing."