Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is set to make his first NFL start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as the team prepares for a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The decision came after Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion, leaving Sanders to step into the starting role. Sanders, who was officially named the starter, has already displayed his eagerness to embrace the challenge, describing the moment as one that ‘cannot be missed.’
Coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been working closely with Sanders, emphasized the importance of ensuring the player feels comfortable and confident in his new role. ‘You’re always trying to do that with all your players — make sure they’re comfortable. It’s no different with Shedeur,’ Stefanski said. ‘You want to make sure all the concepts are things he feels confident in. Having been around him over the months, you get a good sense of what fits his eyes, so to speak. So, definitely want to lean into those things, and he’s working very hard.’
Despite an unimpressive performance in his first in-game action since the preseason, which also was limited for the Colorado alum as he dealt with a shoulder injury, Sanders remains determined to make the most of the opportunity and prove himself. ‘I’m my own biggest critic,’ Sanders told reporters shortly after Stefanski spoke. ‘Will there be mistakes? Of course. But there won’t be as many. You just try to minimize them as much as possible.’
Stefanski noted that Sanders has been taking as many notes as possible and bouncing ideas around with the rest of the quarterback room. ‘It’s obvious that the more time and the more reps, period, are always better,’ Stefanski said. ‘I do think, as quarterbacks, they sit in that room, watch a lot of tape together. So, you watch the receivers, and sometimes you don’t get the rep, but you see how those guys come out. So, that’s what you have to do as backups. Shedeur does that, all of our guys do. When you’re not getting that rep, you’re just making mental notes to yourself about how guys come out of breaks. And there’s a lot of dialogue around that, certainly with the quarterbacks.’
Sanders said he has gained ‘a lot’ of knowledge during his film sessions with Stefanski and the coaching staff, but the best experience for him is getting on the field. ‘I’m more of a feel type of person. That’s how I learn. That’s how I do everything,’ he said. ‘I’m not just going to watch it, and it’s just going to happen. No — I’ve got to be out there, feel it, move around. It’s so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best. And I’m doing everything in my power, and the team’s doing everything to help me get prepared.’
When asked if Sanders has a chance to remain the starter with a good showing against Las Vegas, Stefanski said he was ‘focused on this game.’ Sanders echoed that sentiment, stating, ‘When you start moving too fast in life, sometimes you miss the small details of things, so I never want to overlook anything.’ Sanders, who was widely considered a top five overall pick and then fell to the fifth round, hopes to be the future of a franchise that desperately is looking for an answer. ‘I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope. And I’d be doing a disservice to myself and the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,’ Sanders said. ‘I did everything I need to — I’m doing everything I need to — to prepare and be the best version of myself. With the circumstances, everything’s got to be sped up, and that’s great. I like pressure in life. I’m just excited for everything. I feel like I’m the guy. I know I’m the guy. But, you know, you’ll just have to see. The game’s got to speak.’