Shedeur Sanders is starting to turn heads in Cleveland - and not just because of his last name.
The rookie quarterback, fresh off his second consecutive start for the Browns, took the field against the San Francisco 49ers and showed something you don’t always see from a first-year signal caller: composure under pressure, accountability in the locker room, and a growing sense of command over the huddle.
Let’s start with the postgame moment that stood out. After a tough 26-8 loss to a loaded 49ers defense, Sanders didn’t deflect, didn’t point fingers.
In fact, he did the opposite - publicly backing head coach Kevin Stefanski’s play-calling. “I like being out there playing,” Sanders said.
“So whatever comes with that. We not going to ever point fingers at no coach or do anything like that.”
That’s not just a soundbite - it’s a signal. Sanders is stepping into more than just a quarterback role.
He’s stepping into leadership. And for a rookie who entered the league under a microscope, that kind of maturity matters.
Remember, Sanders didn’t take the traditional path to the NFL. He played for his father, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado, where he quickly proved he belonged on the national stage.
His final season with the Buffaloes was electric - 4,134 passing yards, a 74% completion rate, and 37 touchdowns. He finished eighth in Heisman voting, while his top target, Travis Hunter, took home the trophy.
Despite all that, Sanders slid to the fifth round of the draft - a move that raised eyebrows, especially given the media spotlight that followed him throughout the pre-draft process. Once he landed in Cleveland, the rookie faced a steep climb.
He started the season buried behind veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, along with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. Add in the challenge of adjusting to a new coaching staff and system, and it’s clear Sanders had to earn every snap.
Now, he’s doing just that.
Over the past few weeks, Sanders has been steadily gaining the trust of Stefanski and the Browns’ coaching staff. He’s set to start his third straight game this week against the Titans, and while Gabriel has cleared concussion protocol and is available, Sanders remains the guy under center.
Against San Francisco, the numbers weren’t flashy - 149 yards and a touchdown - but the tape tells a better story. Sanders kept his poise, made smart decisions, and protected the football.
He didn’t try to do too much. He didn’t force throws.
He played within the offense, and more importantly, he showed his teammates that he can lead.
That kind of trust is hard to quantify, but you can see it in the way the offense responds to him. You can hear it in the way he speaks about his coaches. And you can feel it in the way the Browns are starting to rally around him.
This stretch of starts could very well be the turning point in Sanders’ rookie season. It’s not just about stats or wins - it’s about showing he belongs. And right now, he’s doing just that.
There’s still a long road ahead, and nothing’s guaranteed. But if Sanders continues to grow, continues to lead, and continues to make the most of his opportunities, the Browns might have found something special - not just a quarterback, but a cornerstone.