Shedeur Sanders did enough to steal the Browns job.
Coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Shedeur Sanders will be the team’s starting quarterback ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the 49ers.
This news comes as the previous starter and fellow rookie, Dillon Gabriel, was cleared from the concussion protocol and is healthy enough to play.
Sanders led the Browns to a 24-10 upset win over the Raiders in his first NFL start on Sunday. Stefanski had previously stated that Gabriel was to remain the starter.
Sanders went 11-for-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
A big piece of Sanders’ day was a screen pass that backup running back Dylan Sampson took to the house for a 66-yard touchdown.
Sanders did complete a 52-yard bomb to receiver Isaiah Bond on third and eight to get the Browns inside the ten-yard line for an eventual Quinshon Judkins touchdown.
After the game, Stefanski said he was impressed with his rookie quarterback’s growth.
“I just see Shedeur, Dillon, growing a ton both with the Xs and Os and all the work in individual periods. I do see significant growth in Shedeur,” Stefanski said. “He’ll get every rep.”
Ahead of his first NFL start, Sanders was interviewed pregame with CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson, and he said he was out to prove that he was the franchise’s elusive answer at quarterback.
“I’m who they’ve been looking for,” the fifth-round draft choice boldly claimed ahead of his first career NFL start.
For at least one more week, Sanders gets a chance to prove that he is that guy for the Browns who have been a revolving door at quarterback for decades.
“A lot of people want to see me fail … it ain’t gonna happen,” Sanders said.
