Shedeur Sanders has been told he will start against the Tennessee Titans next week, with Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski sticking with the rookie despite his first loss
Shedeur Sanders will start against the Tennessee Titans next week(Image: 2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho)
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has announced that Shedeur Sanders will start against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, after making his second NFL start on Sunday.
Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, but the Browns lost 26-8 to the San Francisco 49ers. Ohio native LeBron James showed his support for Sanders during the defeat, and Stefanski made his feelings clear on the fifth-round rookie.
Stefanski announced moments after the defeat that Sanders would remain the starter, despite Dillon Gabriel clearing concussion protocol. Gabriel was previously preferred to Sanders, but since the Colorado signal-caller made his debut, he has retained the responsibility.
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The 3-9 Browns face the 1-11 Titans in Week 14, as the No. 1 pick from the 2025 NFL Draft meets the 144th pick. Cam Ward was picked first overall by Tennessee, but the Titans have struggled all season, with a 22-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals the only positive performance.
Sanders was a projected first-round pick heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, but suffered one of the most humiliating slides in history. However, it has since worked itself out, as Sanders has been given the starting role ahead of third-round rookie Gabriel.
Sunday was Sanders’ first home start for the Browns, after making his full debut last week. Sanders threw for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception on his debut, in a 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stefanski has put his faith in Sanders despite snubbing him earlier this season(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Sanders failed to inspire another victory, but Stefanski appeared happy with his performance and credited the roster for battling through a difficult run. “I’d have to look at it,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, he’s battling, like all of our guys are battling.
“I know there’s plays he wants back, but we’ll look at it and correct them.” Sanders is 31-of-61 for 405 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in three games this season, but despite the lack of experience, he felt disappointed with his performance on Sunday.
“Obviously, we lost, so I ain’t play well,” Sanders said. “There’s definitely things on film I’m going to look back and want to get back and want to see but at least moving forward I know what we could do differently going about the week and being able to get fully, fully prepared for every possibility.”
Stefanski was proud of his players for battling despite another disappointing loss(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Sanders has only recently begun taking first-team reps in practice, and did so for the first time after making his NFL debut. The rookie has now had two weeks of full-time practice, but is still attempting to form relationships.
Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was seen confronting Sanders on the sidelines, appearing frustrated with the quarterback after offensive drives. Sanders played down the incident when speaking to reporters.
“This team is not going to be a microwave thing,” Sanders said. “We’re going to have sparks here and there, but it’s going to take time to be able to develop that chemistry with everybody, to be on the same page with Jerry.
“Of course you want to be able to get him the ball, but you got to understand it takes time. I’m more of a trust person, and that’s just what it boils down to. So, we have to spend time on task with all those guys and be able to trust and be able to see things at the same lens.”