Shedeur Sanders Struggles In Rough Browns NFL Debut/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut after Dillon Gabriel exited with a concussion. Sanders completed only four passes and threw an interception as Cleveland fell 23-16 to Baltimore. Despite flashes of promise, Sanders faced a steep learning curve behind an offense that stalled throughout the second half.
Shedeur Sanders NFL Debut Quick Looks
- Sanders replaced injured starter Dillon Gabriel early in the third quarter.
- Rookie completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards with one interception.
- Browns gained only 44 total yards on six second-half drives under Sanders.
- Baltimore increased blitz pressure to disrupt the inexperienced quarterback.
- Sanders nearly led a late tying drive before the Browns stalled at the Ravens 25.
- Coach Kevin Stefanski says Sanders may start next week if Gabriel remains in concussion protocol.
- Browns fall to 2-8 after their third straight loss.
- Sanders expected to get his first full practice week with first-team offense.
Deep Look: Sanders’ Difficult NFL Debut Highlights Browns’ Offensive Struggles
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns saw the beginning of a new era Sunday night, though not under the circumstances anyone anticipated. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, one of the league’s most talked‑about newcomers, was thrust into action in the third quarter after starter Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion and ruled out. What followed was a challenging NFL debut that underscored both Sanders’ raw potential and the steep climb ahead.
Sanders entered with 12:43 left in the third quarter and immediately completed his first two passes. But the momentum from that brief start evaporated quickly. Against a surging Baltimore Ravens defense, Sanders finished 4 of 16 for 47 yards, threw an interception, lost a fumble that was recovered by his own team, and took two sacks. His passer rating ended at 13.5 as Baltimore rallied late to secure a 23-16 victory.
Sanders was direct in assessing his performance. He stated: “I don’t think I played good at all. They gave me an opportunity. I didn’t do up to my expectations to get us a win. I have to take it on the chin.” The rookie added 16 rushing yards on three scrambles, showing flashes of mobility but never finding sustained rhythm.
The offense sputtered throughout the second half, managing only 44 total yards with Sanders at the helm. The Browns went three‑and‑out twice and collected only four first downs across six possessions. It was the first time Sanders had ever led the huddle with the full complement of Cleveland’s starters, including Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr., and Cedric Tillman.
Guard Wyatt Teller noted the adjustment period: “I think I have heard his cadence like two or three times. Going out of halftime, we all got on the line, and he said his cadence and we kind of got through it. A lot of learning, but he played his heart off.”
The rookie’s first major setback came on his second drive. Facing third‑and‑10 from the Cleveland 17, Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy pierced the pocket and hit Sanders as he threw. The ball fluttered off target, where it was intercepted by Nate Wiggins and returned 14 yards. Sanders then endured a stretch in which he went 0-for-7 with an interception and took one of his two sacks.
The Ravens intensified their pressure as the game progressed. According to coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore did not overhaul its scheme for Sanders’ arrival but opted to blitz more frequently to rattle the rookie.
“The game plan was going to be good for their offensive system. We were not going to change that. You don’t know how the quarterback’s going to look exactly, but you just have to take care of your own business,” Harbaugh said.
Despite the struggles, Sanders mounted one promising late drive after Baltimore took a 23-16 lead on Mark Andrews’ 35‑yard touchdown run. Sanders opened the possession with a 25‑yard strike to Fannin and later found Jeudy for 10 yards to reach the Ravens 30. Cleveland advanced to the 25 before the drive stalled. Facing fourth‑and‑5, Sanders targeted David Njoku, but the pass fell short. Earlier in the same series, Sanders had taken a shot at the end zone for Isaiah Bond but missed long.
Cedric Tillman praised Sanders’ composure, saying: “He just kind of got thrown out there but I think he handled it well. We know what type of player he is.”
Sanders’ debut came after weeks of patience. Drafted in the fifth round despite first‑round projections from some analysts, he spent the first five games inactive as the emergency third quarterback. His preseason performances hinted at potential, completing 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. But Sunday marked his first snaps with the first-team offense in a regular-season environment.
Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized confidence in the rookie, noting that quarterback readiness develops through repetition. He said Sanders will likely get the bulk of first-team practice reps this week if Gabriel remains in the concussion protocol. If Gabriel is not cleared, Sanders is expected to make his first NFL start next Sunday in Las Vegas.
Cleveland, now 2-8 after dropping three straight games, needs answers on offense. For Sanders, however, the experience marks the beginning of a developmental process he acknowledges will take time.
“We need to look at a lot of things during the week and just get comfortable throwing routes with Jerry and all those guys,” he said. “I think that was my first ball to him all year. We have a week to prepare and get to the stuff I like to do.”
The Browns will spend the coming days reshaping their offensive plan, while Sanders prepares for what may become his first full NFL showcase.
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