Shedeur Sanders is set to play just his second career NFL start, facing a massive challenge against a defense that is on a completely different level from the Las Vegas Raiders team he saw last week. Standing in his way are the San Francisco 49ers, who are still very much in the fight for the NFC West title, meaning they simply cannot afford to drop winnable games–especially against an up-and-down team like the Cleveland Browns.
What did Shedeur Sanders say ahead of the game?
The young quarterback made it clear he’s not focused on the noise surrounding his relationship with head coach Kevin Stefanski or the ovation fans are expected to give him when he takes the field Sunday against San Francisco.
“I’m in grind mode, mentally understanding how to attack this defense that we’re going against. That’s where I am right now,” Sanders said Wednesday.
Fans who support Sanders have paid even closer attention to his dynamic with Stefanski ever since he became the first Browns rookie quarterback since Eric Zeier in 1995 to win his debut NFL start.
Against the Raiders, Shedeur delivered Cleveland’s two longest completions of the entire season, going 11-of-20 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
“What people do outside the building isn’t really in my control. It’s not in my power. It’s not like I can go out there and tell ’em to do whatever,” Sanders added. “Coach Stefanski, he’s been coaching me since I got here, and we’ve been doing a very great job with everything that’s going on. He tells me what I need to do on and off the field. We’ve definitely grown; our relationship and everything has grown.”
Browns vs. 49ers: Historical Record
Cleveland leads the all-time regular-season series against San Francisco 13-8.
At home, the Browns have been dominant, holding an 8-2 record against the 49ers.
The most recent meeting came in 2023, when Cleveland edged out San Francisco 19-17.