Surprising no one, the Cleveland Browns have made it official that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will remain the starting quarterback. He’ll be running the team for the remainder of the 2023 season. Despite the uncertainties, this decision comes on the heels of Sanders’ phenomenal play in his first three starts. His success became all the more apparent when Dillon Gabriel recorded a concussion during the preseason battle with the Baltimore Ravens.
Take the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado football coach Deion Sanders. He started his NFL career as the Browns’ No. 4 QB on their roster. Drafted 144th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, he’s already become one of the biggest success stories. Again, Sanders has only completed 52.4% of his passes on the season. His passing yardage so far has totaled just 769 yards, on pace for a modest five touchdowns to three interceptions. On the ground, he’s rushed for 50 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
In his best game, Sanders totaled a remarkable 394 yards. He added four touchdowns in a wild 31-29 home defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Congratulations, John—your hard work has certainly paid off! He’s already made history by becoming the first Browns quarterback since 1995 to win his first NFL start, a 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12.
The Browns now have a 1-2 record when Sanders has begun under center. Head coach Kevin Stefanski previously said that he had confidence in Sanders’ growth, noting that he has gotten better every week.
“I think [Sanders] has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he’s approached this game,” – Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski further noted, “He’s been working very hard. So, I feel good about where his development is heading. He knows there are always going to be plays that he can be better at, but he’s very intentional about getting better each and every game he’s out there.”
Sanders took advantage of his opportunity when the Browns underwent an offseason roster purge. By trading away veteran quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, they cleared a path for him. The decision to keep him as the starting quarterback reflects the organization’s commitment to developing young talent in a challenging season.
As the Browns prepare for their final four games, Sanders will be the focal point on everyone’s mind. He’s been guiding the U.S. through this transitional phase with a firm hand. Fans and analysts are already frothing at the mouth with anticipation. They look forward to seeing how he responds under pressure, along with the maturation of his leadership, in the coming weeks.
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