Well, Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL start was decent, and that’s exactly why it has everyone talking. He delivered moments that Cleveland hasn’t seen in a long time, moments that raise bigger questions than they answer. What he showed on Sunday is only the beginning, and the real story is just getting started.

Grade: B

First Start That Gives Cleveland a Little Hope

Sanders looked confident from the moment he stepped on the field. By the end of the game, he completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. But his biggest moment came on a play that truly showed his natural talent.

He ran away from a player trying to tackle him and threw the ball 52 yards to rookie Isaiah Bond. A coach from another team praised the play, saying, "The nicest play was the scramble against the unblocked blitzer for the 52-yard gain. He felt the pressure immediately and got away to his right, threw a nice ball without getting his feet set." It was the type of play the Browns haven’t seen from a young quarterback in a long time.

Even before kickoff, Sanders showed. In a CBS pregame interview, he was asked what you hope to show, and he said, "I'm who they've been looking for."

Still, one good game doesn’t mean the Browns should get ahead of themselves. Earlier this season, Dillon Gabriel also played well in his first start, and things didn’t continue on that path. Cleveland has been let down too many times to jump to conclusions.

On Sunday, Sanders did better than he did in college. He stayed calm in the pocket, made quicker decisions, and didn’t back down from pressure. The Browns’ smart game plan with quick passes and strong running helped him. His 66-yard touchdown came from a short swing pass that running back Dylan Sampson turned into a long run.

Now the real test starts. Once teams see a rookie quarterback play, they figure out his weaknesses and adjust, showing whether he can improve or struggle.

Sanders clearly has more natural talent than Gabriel, giving the team hope. Even a small step forward feels big in Cleveland.

What Happens Next for Sanders and the Browns

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has already decided that Sanders will start again in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, especially with Gabriel still in the concussion protocol. But even when Gabriel returns, Sanders should stay the starter. Gabriel’s limitations became obvious during his six starts, and the Browns need to learn what they truly have in Sanders before the offseason.

And Sanders knows the expectations that come with the job. After the game, he said, "A lot of people want to see me fail. It ain't gonna happen." It was a clear message that he understands the pressure.

Over the next six games, he needs to stack solid performances. He must show progress. He must learn from mistakes. His interception on Sunday, caused by misreading the defense, could hurt more against stronger teams, but mistakes are normal for rookies. The key is making sure the good outweighs the bad.

If Sanders keeps improving, the Browns may finally have a young quarterback worth building around. And maybe this time, they’ll solve the one problem that has troubled them for more than 20 years.

For now, the job belongs to Sanders. And the coming weeks will reveal whether he can hold onto it for good.

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar