Shedeur Sanders made his debut for the Cleveland Browns in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. To all those waiting, he was massively disappointing and failed to meet his expectations epically. His father, Deion Sanders, was quick to share his thoughts on the polarizing situation.
Coach Prime Comments on Shedeur Sanders’ Debut
Many around the NFL have been urging the Browns to give Sanders an opportunity amid their ongoing struggles at quarterback this year. He finally got into a game in Week 11 when Dillon Gabriel was forced out with a concussion.
His debut was disastrous, to say the least, including completing just four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards and an interception. He also contributed to the Browns blowing their lead against the Ravens and eventually losing. Coach Prime shared his thoughts shortly after the conclusion.
“I’m frustrated because I just finished watching Shedeur get in. But, I was thankful, happy, and appreciative that he got an opportunity… I’m excited, I was in tears,” shared Sanders.
It was an emotional moment for him, watching his son finally take the field in an NFL game. He was clearly proud to see his son reach a level few quarterbacks ever touch, but he was also likely hoping for a far better debut.
Coach Prime reveals he was emotional seeing Shedeur make his NFL debut❤️
“I was thankful, happy, and appreciative that he got an opportunity.”
🎥@DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/TwcGzihoIU
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) November 17, 2025
The Browns have consistently stuck with Gabriel, who was selected two rounds earlier in the same draft. He has started every game since they traded away Joe Flacco, but has massively struggled. He ranked 37th of 38 qualified quarterbacks in PFNS’s Impact Rankings through ten weeks.
Despite his comparatively awful performances, head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to make a quarterback change or even give Sanders any playing time at all. His hand was forced in Week 11 when Gabriel was ruled out with a concussion, essentially leaving him no choice.
Many have been wondering what has been taking so long to give him an opportunity, but his disastrous performance may explain the situation. Stefanski has been criticized for being reluctant to get him into a game, but maybe he was right all along that his other rookie quarterback simply wasn’t ready enough for real-time game action.
Coach Prime has coached him along his journey to the NFL, including most recently as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. He has consistently hyped him up as a future superstar quarterback, and while that may be the case eventually, he appears to have a long road to get there after his alarming debut.
