Cleveland’s rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders showed flashes in his home debut, throwing a highlight-reel touchdown that had LeBron James cheering.
But the performance fizzled after halftime, and one Hall of Famer wasn’t impressed with Sanders’ fourth-quarter choices in the Browns’ 26-8 loss to San Francisco.
Shannon Sharpe Bluntly Assesses Shedeur Sanders’ Decision-Making After Browns Loss
Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back after watching Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland’s defeat to San Francisco. In a post on X, Sharpe delivered a blunt assessment of the rookie’s decision-making.
“Shedeur you’re not fast. You’re not out running any1. Throw the 🏈 away. It’s ok,” Sharpe wrote.
Shedeur you’re not fast. You’re not out running any1. Throw the 🏈 away. It’s ok
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 30, 2025
The criticism hit home after Sanders took three sacks and managed just 149 yards on 16-of-25 passing.
One play late in the game proved Sharpe’s point: Facing fourth-and-26 while trailing by 18 points, Sanders slid to avoid contact rather than attempting to scramble for the first down or risk an interception. In a situation demanding aggression, he chose preservation.
Smart heads up play by Shedeur. Down 18, 4th and 26. You don’t want to throw a pick. Escapes the pocket and gets down to protect himself.
Not many QB’s can do this stuff. pic.twitter.com/eYUBJJHk5y
— Brad Haines (@coachhaines22) November 30, 2025
Sanders also struggled with pocket awareness throughout the afternoon. A 13-yard sack pushed Cleveland out of realistic scoring range during a promising drive, while his hesitation going through reads contributed to another takedown by San Francisco’s pass rush.
Sanders’ Hot Start Couldn’t Carry Through Second Half
The afternoon started with genuine optimism at Huntington Bank Field. Sanders completed 8 of 11 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in the first half, capped by a 34-yard scoring strike to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. down the left sideline. He stepped up in the pocket, found the rookie tight end wide open, and delivered a perfect ball that had the home crowd buzzing.
The play drew immediate praise on social media. NBA star LeBron James posted his approval, while Hall of Famer Michael Irvin declared Sanders better than any quarterback Cleveland had fielded all season. After a successful two-point conversion, the Browns grabbed an 8-7 lead.
But that momentum vanished after halftime. Cleveland managed just 60 yards in five second-half possessions and never threatened to score again. The Browns rank 32nd in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with an F grade and a 52.9 score, and Sunday’s performance showed why.
Special teams blunders made things worse. A botched snap on fourth-and-1 led to a fumble that set up a San Francisco touchdown. A muffed punt gave the 49ers another short field, which they converted into seven more points.
Sanders avoided turnovers and showed poise in cold, windy conditions, completing six of his first eight throws before the game turned. But competent game management wasn’t enough against a playoff-caliber opponent. Cleveland needed explosive plays and sustained drives, and Sanders couldn’t deliver either after his early success.
The Browns confirmed Sanders will start next week against Tennessee, giving him another chance to build on the positives while fixing the mistakes that had Sharpe questioning his instincts. At 3-9, Cleveland has nothing to lose by letting the fifth-round pick play through the growing pains.