LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
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The 3-8 Cleveland Browns are one of the worst teams in the NFL, but there’s renewed excitement with rookie Shedeur Sanders now starting at quarterback.
Sanders won his starting debut last week, a 24-10 victory over the 2-9 Las Vegas Raiders in which he went 11-of-20 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Sanders’ next tilt will be against a much stiffer opponent in the 8-4 San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m in grind mode,” Sanders said about preparing for the 49ers.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick and the No. 144 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, isn’t taking his opportunity to start for granted. That opportunity arose because starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders struggled upon entering the game for the injured Gabriel, going 4-of-16 for 47 yards with an interception. Although Sanders looked better versus the Raiders and is trending in the right direction, he’s not taking his foot off the gas and knows he has to continue improving.
“I’m definitely not comfortable, though, so that’s first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there. But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes, it could be taken at any point in time,” Sanders explained. “So, I’m never comfortable in a situation I’m in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week, I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there.”
Sanders will be facing a 49ers defense that has given up the most passing yards in the NFL (2,901) and has racked up the least amount of sacks (13). Sanders should have time to throw and chances to exploit the San Francisco secondary.
“It’s about belief. The reason why I am so confident in the way I am is the guys around believe. That’s what’s most important with having a team, within having an offense. Within having to have a spark. You gotta have guys that believe. I’m fully confident in myself throughout everything and I’m confident in my team. And I’m sure they’re confident in me also.”
Sanders’ ascent to starter is improbable, as he was way down the depth chart at quarterback this summer, but then Kenny Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Dillon Gabriel wound up suffering a concussion. These developments are what led to Sanders starting. Even though it’s been a challenging stretch, he knows that no one takes pity on him – he has to go out there and play well
“That’s how life is,” Sanders said. “Everybody’s not in the best situation, but it’s no excuse. You got to go out there and perform. There’s no choice and no question. Nobody cares if this was one week of prep. Who cares? A lot of people want to see me fail, and it isn’t going to happen.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevorwoods/2025/11/26/shedeur-sanders-in-grind-mode-ahead-of-browns-vs-49ers/
