Browns Stay the Course with Shedeur Sanders: Stefanski Sees Growth Despite Tough Outing vs. 49ers
After a rocky second start in the NFL, Shedeur Sanders is still getting the nod from Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski-and that says something about where this team is headed.
Facing one of the league’s most ferocious defenses in the San Francisco 49ers, Sanders and the Browns offense struggled to find rhythm in a 26-8 loss at home. It was Sanders’ first NFL start in front of the Cleveland faithful, and while the box score won’t turn heads-16 completions, 149 yards, one touchdown-it’s the context that matters.
Let’s be real: facing the 49ers’ front seven is a baptism by fire for any quarterback, let alone a rookie in just his second start. Sanders was under pressure all afternoon, and the Browns offensive line had its hands full. Add in a missed opportunity on a deep ball-where Jerry Jeudy appeared to pull up on a potential touchdown play-and it’s clear Sanders didn’t get much help.
Still, Stefanski saw enough to stay optimistic. “Shedeur had some really good moments in that football game,” he told reporters. “There are things that he wants back that we’re coaching up right now that he can improve upon.”
That’s the key here. Stefanski isn’t sugarcoating it-he knows Sanders has work to do.
But he also understands that growth at the quarterback position doesn’t happen overnight. It happens with reps, with preparation, and with learning from tough games like this one.
“For the young quarterback, you only get better with more turns at this thing in these games,” Stefanski added. “As you see more coverages, as you see more defenses… just looking forward to that constant improvement with Shedeur and for all of our young players.”
Through three appearances, Sanders has completed just over 50 percent of his passes (50.8%) for 405 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but again-context matters. The Browns have been in quarterback limbo all season, and Sanders is the latest to take a spin in what’s been a revolving door under center.
It started with Joe Flacco, who opened the season as the starter before being traded to the Bengals. That handed the reins to Gabriel, who made six starts but went 1-5 before a concussion in Week 11 against the Ravens opened the door for Sanders.
Now, Sanders is set to make his third straight start this Sunday against the Titans, and it’s a chance to build on what he’s shown so far. Stefanski clearly believes there’s something to develop here-and in a season where the Browns have shuffled quarterbacks like playing cards, that stability means something.
The next step? Turning flashes into consistency. If Sanders can start stacking good drives, making quicker reads, and getting more comfortable against NFL speed, he might just put a firm grip on the starting job heading into the final stretch of the season.
For now, the Browns are betting on growth-and Shedeur Sanders is getting the reps to prove them right.