Brownscoach Kevin Stefanski on Monday announced Sanders as the team's starting quarterback for their Nov. 30 game against theSan Francisco 49ersfollowing the rookie's win Sunday in his starting debut.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Dillon Gabrielhas cleared the concussion protocol but will not take back his first-string role, Stefanski said.
"Obviously, the No. 1 job of a quarterback is to win," Stefanski said. "So (we're) excited to get that first win under his belt. 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."
The announcement comes one day after Sanders led the Browns to a 24-10 win over theLas Vegas Raidersin his first NFL start. The fifth-round rookie threw for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
1/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
1/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
2/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
3/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
4/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
5/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
6/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
7/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
8/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
9/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
10/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
11/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
12/12
See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Stefanski said last week that Gabriel would step back into the staring role once he was cleared, but the coach was noncommittal on the team's plans behind center following the win over the Raiders.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
On Monday, Stefanski would not say whether the arrangement would last beyond the week.
"I'm just gonna focus on this week," Stefanski said.
Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win in his inaugural start since Eric Zeier in 1995. A week earlier, he made his NFL debut in relief of Gabriel, completing just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception.
