Shedeur Sanders Shows Flashes, But Browns Offense Stalls in Loss to 49ers
Shedeur Sanders’ first home start in Cleveland didn’t come with the storybook ending. The Browns fell to the 49ers 25-8 on Sunday, and while Sanders had his moments, the offense as a whole struggled to find rhythm against a San Francisco defense that, even while banged up, still knows how to make life difficult for a young quarterback.
Sanders finished 16-of-25 for 149 yards and a touchdown. No turnovers, which is always a positive for a rookie QB, but the Browns' offense never quite found its footing. They totaled just 253 yards on the day and went 0-for-4 on fourth down-drive-killers that loomed large in a game where every possession mattered.
There were glimpses of what Sanders can be. His touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. was a well-placed throw in a tight window, followed by a successful two-point conversion that briefly gave the Browns an 8-7 lead.
But those flashes were too few and far between. The offense stalled out too often, and key fumbles-one by Gage Larvadain and another by Fannin-only added to the frustration.
Let’s be clear: Sanders wasn’t the reason Cleveland lost. But he also didn’t do enough to tilt the game in their favor. That’s the challenge for young quarterbacks in this league-it’s not just about avoiding mistakes, it’s about making plays that change the outcome.
After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will get the start next week against the Tennessee Titans. Beyond that?
It's a week-to-week situation. The Browns are still evaluating, still looking for answers at the most important position in the sport.
What Sanders has brought to the table is a vertical element the Browns were sorely missing. In just two starts, he’s already completed four passes of 30-plus yards.
That’s a stark contrast to Dillon Gabriel, who didn’t hit a single one of those explosive plays before Sanders took over. That kind of downfield threat can stretch defenses and open up everything else-if the rest of the offense can hold up its end.
Gabriel is healthy again after a concussion, but his earlier performances didn’t exactly lock down the job. Sanders has the opportunity, and now it’s on him to seize it. These next few weeks could determine whether he’s just a stopgap or the guy Cleveland builds around going forward.
Next up: a marquee matchup against the Titans and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. It’s a game that carries a little extra weight.
Ward and Sanders were frequently compared during the pre-draft process, with many viewing Sanders as the clear No. 2 QB in the class.
But draft day didn’t go as expected for Sanders-he slid all the way to the fifth round.
Now, he’s got a shot to flip that narrative. A strong showing against Ward and the Titans could go a long way toward solidifying his place atop the Browns’ depth chart-not just for next week, but for the rest of the season.
For now, Sanders has the keys. The question is whether he can drive this offense where it needs to go.