Shedeur Sanders wants to do everything to ensure he has a passing grade.
The Browns rookie quarterback will make his first regular-season NFL start Sunday against the Raiders after making his debut in relief last week.
While Sanders had an underwhelming first go of things in a loss to the Ravens, he wants to step things up in Week 12, with one anonymous Browns player telling The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that the signal-caller is “treating this start like a final exam he can’t fail.”
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns scrambles with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Russini added that the son of Hall of Fame defensive back Deion Sanders has done all he can to ensure he can succeed this weekend, and that includes dissecting Las Vegas tape as if his career is hanging in the balance.
Sanders, once projected to go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, slipped to the Browns in the fifth round after they already selected fellow QB Dillon Gabriel out of Oregon in the third round.
Gabriel, who started last Sunday against the Ravens, went down with a concussion, which led to Sanders’ NFL entrance.
The rookie out of Colorado completed just 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards — throwing one interception — and added 16 yards on the ground.
Sanders said Wednesday he’s ready for the challenge and wants to deliver Browns fans a performance they can be proud of Sunday.
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“Well, first, I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope, and I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,” Sanders said. “I did everything I need to — I’m doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got me sped up, and that’s great — you know, I like pressure in life. I’m just excited for everything.
“So, I feel like I’m the guy, I know I’m the guy, but you just have to be able to see. The game got to speak.”
Sanders will face a Raiders team that has a middle-of-the-pack passing defense that has allowed 219.5 yards per game through the air, which ranks 19th in the NFL.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders responds to a question during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. AP
They still, however, have formidable edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who has a team-leading six sacks this year, who could give Sanders some trouble if he breaks through the Browns’ offensive line.
The Browns are four-point underdogs at BetMGM Sportsbook.