Shedeur Sanders made his second NFL start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and while the scoreboard didn’t tilt in his favor this time, the rookie quarterback continued to show the kind of poise and progress that coaches love to see in December.
Coming off a steady debut win against the Raiders, Sanders faced a much stiffer challenge this week against a loaded 49ers defense. And though the Browns came up short, Sanders held his own - and then some.
He completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards, tossed a touchdown, and, maybe most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over. That’s a clean, efficient outing against one of the league’s better defensive units.
What stood out? Ball security, for one.
Sanders didn’t force anything, didn’t panic under pressure, and delivered a beautiful deep touchdown to a fellow rookie - a throw that showcased both his timing and touch. It was the kind of play that gives you a glimpse of what he could become with more reps and more trust from the coaching staff.
The Browns' offense still has its rough edges - the rhythm isn’t always there, and the protection broke down at times - but Sanders didn’t let it rattle him. He kept the huddle steady, stayed on schedule, and got the ball out quickly. For a young quarterback still finding his footing with the starters, that’s real, tangible growth.
Cleveland now sits at 3-9, and with the playoff picture out of reach, the focus naturally shifts to development - especially under center. Through two starts and a brief appearance earlier in the year, Sanders is 31-of-61 for 405 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The numbers are modest, but the tape tells the more important story. His processing is speeding up.
His footwork is tightening. The rookie mistakes?
They’re starting to fade.
It’s too early to say what the Browns will decide once the season wraps, but Sanders is making sure his name stays in the conversation. If he keeps stacking solid performances, keeps protecting the football, and keeps showing that calm under pressure, he’s going to give the front office something to think about heading into the offseason.
For now, it’s about stacking days and learning on the fly. And so far, Shedeur Sanders is doing just that - one clean rep at a time.