The most publicized first NFL start of a fifth-round rookie quarterback in recent memory finally unfolded Sunday in Week 12, as Shedeur Sanders led the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sanders appeared to make serious strides after a ragged debut in emergency duty against the Ravens in Week 11, a game that fellow rookie signal-caller Dillon Gabriel exited early because of the concussion that kept him sidelined Sunday.
In his first postgame press conference as an NFL starter, a proud and somewhat defiant Sanders sounded a confident tone about where his career is headed.
Shedeur Sanders Lets Detractors Know Success Is in His Future
Sanders looked very much like a Day 3 pick in his unexpected pro debut against a veteran Ravens defense in Week 11, completing just four of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception while adding three carries for 16 yards.
However, following that game, head coach Kevin Stefanski’s comments helped shine light on what may have been a significant source of the rookie’s struggles — the reps he got filling in for Gabriel were Sanders’ first with the first-team offense since being drafted.
Therefore, a week of practice following his first taste of regular-season NFL action was bound to lead to better results. Sanders himself had expressed his belief in such, noting during the week that he typically learned best by being out on the practice field and observing his pass catchers as they carried out their reps.
After Sunday’s end product — 11-for-20 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception — appeared to validate Sanders’ process, he pledged in his postgame press conference that those who still doubt him are going to continue being proven wrong.
“it ain’t gonna happen” pic.twitter.com/GM7QHrEiH3
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 24, 2025
“A lot of people wanna see me fail and, it ain’t gonna happen,” Sanders remarked.
Sanders May Get Plenty of Opportunity To Continue Making His Case
As is the case with any quarterback, be they rookie or grizzled veteran, Sunday’s film will provide Stefanski, his staff, and Sanders with plenty for the young signal-caller to work on. However, there was an undeniable spark the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback brought to the offense.
Sanders appeared to display the poise of a much more experienced player at times, and he flashed impressive downfield prowess with a 52-yard throw on the run to fellow rookie Isaiah Bond in the first quarter.
Sanders also displayed deft touch on a 39-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy in the second quarter, although that play resulted in a fumble by the veteran wide receiver.
And, although Sanders’ first career touchdown pass was largely due to the handiwork of running back Dylan Sampson, who took a screen pass 66 yards to the end zone, it served as the highlight of a day filled with chunk plays for a Cleveland offense that had found them in short supply with Gabriel under center and carried a No. 32-ranked 52.4 PFSN Offense Impact Score into Sunday’s game.
Therefore, Stefanski will have an intriguing decision when it comes to naming his Week 13 starter against the 49ers, assuming Gabriel clears concussion protocol and is therefore a candidate to play. By all accounts, Sunday’s results appear to have certainly earned Sanders at least one more opportunity, at minimum.
Nevertheless, whatever comes Sanders’ way moving forward, it appears he’s already decided success is his only option — irrespective of what any doubters might think.
