Lead
Shedeur Sanders delivered a strong first NFL start on Nov. 23, 2025, leading the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 win at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Sanders completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception, lifting the Browns out of a long streak of struggles in debut starts. The victory ended a 17-game skid in games featuring a quarterback’s first career start and snapped Cleveland’s 13-game road losing streak. Coach Kevin Stefanski declined to declare a Week 13 starter, leaving the quarterback decision open against the San Francisco 49ers.
Key Takeaways
- Sanders’ stat line: 11-of-20 passing, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT in his first NFL start on Nov. 23, 2025.
- Cleveland beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10, ending a 13-game road losing streak and a 17-game losing run in games with a QB making his first career start.
- Sanders became the 42nd Browns starting quarterback since 1999 and the first to win his first start for Cleveland since Eric Zeier in 1995.
- Myles Garrett recorded three sacks, a single-game contribution that raised his season total to a career-high 18 sacks.
- Dillon Gabriel remained inactive as he had not cleared the NFL concussion protocol; coach Stefanski said the QB decision for next week would be handled cautiously.
- Sanders previously appeared briefly in the Week 11 loss to Baltimore (4-of-16, 47 yards, 1 INT) and had a full week of first-team reps heading into this start.
Background
The Browns entered the 2025 season with a crowded quarterback room. Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick, was tabbed the starter earlier but has since been sidelined by a concussion, opening an opportunity for younger options. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett were on the roster at different points; Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Oct. 7 and Pickett was traded to the Raiders before final cuts, reshaping Cleveland’s depth chart.
Sanders was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2025 NFL draft and began the year as the No. 4 quarterback. He moved up the depth chart after roster moves and injuries, making his debut late in Week 11 when Gabriel was checked for a concussion at halftime. That debut in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens produced a 4-of-16 stat line for 47 yards and an interception, giving Sanders limited but valuable live-game experience.
Main Event
At Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, Sanders showed poise and a stronger connection with Cleveland’s offense after a week of first-team practice. He converted a third-and-8 on the Browns’ fourth drive by evading a blitz and hitting rookie Isaiah Bond on a 52-yard completion, the game’s longest Browns play at that point and a drive-setter for a Quinshon Judkins touchdown.
Sanders took just one sack after having been sacked twice in his debut against Baltimore. His first NFL touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a screen pass that Dylan Sampson turned into a 66-yard scoring run, effectively sealing a 24-10 lead for Cleveland. Sanders mixed downfield shots with checkdowns and managed the pocket well on several off-schedule throws.
Coach Kevin Stefanski praised the young quarterback’s progress while emphasizing there is still work to do. Stefanski appointed Sanders as the starter during the week but maintained a cautious stance about naming a QB for the upcoming home game versus the 49ers, citing the need to consider health and preparation for the team.
Analysis & Implications
Sanders’ performance alters the short-term quarterback calculus in Cleveland. A successful first start on the road, punctuated by big plays, gives the Browns more options when deciding who to start if Dillon Gabriel’s concussion status remains unresolved. The performance also validates, to an extent, the team’s investment in a developmental quarterback taken in the middle rounds of the 2025 draft.
For the Browns’ offense, the debut start showed schematic flexibility: play-calling accommodated Sanders’ strengths by mixing quick game elements with opportunities to push the ball downfield. That balance limited negative plays and reduced sack exposure compared with his Week 11 appearance. If sustained, the tempo and shot selection could expand Cleveland’s offensive ceiling, particularly with playmakers like Quinshon Judkins and rookie Isaiah Bond making explosive contributions.
At the roster level, Sanders’ ascent may factor into future personnel decisions. The Browns have already moved veteran depth pieces this season; another credible start could accelerate evaluation of whether to pursue experienced reinforcements or continue developing Sanders within the current scheme. Opponents and front offices will now view Sanders as a more immediate playing option rather than a purely developmental backup.
Comparison & Data
| Game | Comp-Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 23 vs Raiders (Start) | 11-20 | 209 | 1 | 1 | 1 | W 24-10 |
| Week 11 vs Ravens (Debut) | 4-16 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 2 | L 16-23 |
The table highlights clear improvement in completion percentage, yards per attempt and sack reduction across a single week of starting reps. The 52-yard connection to Isaiah Bond was a critical downfield example; the impact plays from rookies Judkins and Bond helped convert Sanders’ intermediate and deep attempts into points.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach and player reactions framed the game as both a milestone and a step in a longer process.
I’m not going to get into that.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns (head coach)
Stefanski used brevity when asked about the starting quarterback for next week, stressing team-first decision-making and health considerations rather than immediate declarations.
Everybody’s not in the best situation, but it’s no excuse. You got to go out there and perform.
Shedeur Sanders (quarterback)
Sanders framed his path to the start as imperfect but insisted on accountability and performance as the metric that matters to him and the team.
That was a hell of a throw. I hope he can continue to grow and develop from making plays like that.
Myles Garrett (defensive end)
Garrett lauded Sanders’ arm and playmaking after his three-sack outing lifted him to a season-high 18 sacks, a mark that underscores Cleveland’s defensive contributions to the win.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Dillon Gabriel will be cleared by medical staff and named the Week 13 starter remains unresolved at the time of this report.
- Any long-term plan from the Browns’ front office about committing to Sanders as the starter beyond this season has not been announced.
- There is no official confirmation of roster moves or trade interest related to the quarterback position following Sanders’ start.
Bottom Line
Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL start was a notable debut that combined big-play ability with better situational management than his earlier appearance in Week 11. The performance ended two unwelcome Browns streaks and provided a credible short-term option at quarterback for Cleveland.
But the situation remains fluid. Coach Stefanski’s cautious posture and Dillon Gabriel’s unresolved concussion protocol mean the Browns will assess health and preparation before making definitive roster decisions. For now, Sanders has earned an expanded evaluation window; how the Browns proceed will hinge on medical updates, further practice reps and upcoming game performance against the San Francisco 49ers.