The Browns are handing Shedeur Sanders the keys at a moment packed with pressure, history, and rare opportunity. For more than two decades, every quarterback making his first career start for Cleveland has walked off the field with a loss. 41 different players have tried to break that streak, and every single one came up empty. Now Sanders becomes the next player trusted to end a drought the franchise has carried since 1999.
This start represents far more than just a lineup decision. It’s a chance for Sanders to show he can bring a new level of stability to a team that has searched endlessly for it. The task is enormous, the expectations are real, and the challenge comes with heavy weight. Sanders also has the chance to flip an entire script and deliver a moment the Browns have been waiting on for years.
Sanders Set for First NFL Start as Browns Look for a Fresh Beginning
Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will start Sunday against the Raiders. It will be his first NFL start. ESPN’s Adam Schefter underscored the significance of the opportunity by pointing out that Cleveland quarterbacks are 0-17 in their first career starts since the franchise returned in 1999. No one has managed to break that pattern, regardless of potential or circumstance.
Sanders steps into this history with the chance to finally change it. His calm presence, sharp arm talent, and ability to stay composed in heavy moments have impressed the coaching staff throughout the year. Inside the building, there is growing confidence that he can give the team a level of steady quarterback play they have struggled to find.
Sunday’s matchup will reveal whether Sanders can turn belief into reality. A win would erase one of the NFL’s strangest and most frustrating streaks for Cleveland fans. A loss would simply extend it to 18. The moment is here, and the rookie is about to face it head-on.
The significance of Sanders’ struggles isn’t confined to his personal development. It extends to the entire franchise. Shedeur Sanders’ 2025 preseason showed promise without mistakes. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Through these stats, though he struggled a bit, he highlighted a strong debut where he threw for 138 yards and 2 TDs and added 19 rushing yards. His follow-up outing was quieter, with 3 of 6 passing for 14 yards under heavy pressure.
The Browns are hoping this rookie can break a long-running negative trend and bring some stability at quarterback. If Sanders continues to underperform in his first start, it becomes a future question mark rather than a hopeful long-term solution. The team’s offense, scheme, supporting cast and coaching must all compensate to bridge his learning curve.
In summary, Sanders’ stat line suggests he’s far from ready to carry a franchise. But early struggles do not preclude improvement. What matters now is how he responds, how the team supports him, and how quickly he adapts. If you’re covering this for content, lean into the raw reality: high expectations met by harsh reality, and a compelling story of redemption still unwritten.