Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns Stick with Shedeur Sanders for Third Straight Start vs. Titans

Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make his third consecutive start next Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, doubling down on the 144th overall pick despite a lopsided 26-8 homes loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The defeat dropped Cleveland to 3-9, marking their fourth losing season in six years under Stefanski and extending their league-worst streak of 23 losing campaigns since 1999.

Shedeur Sanders Performance Against the 49ers

In his first home start, Sanders went 16-25 for 149 yards and a touchdown, showing poise but faltering in key moments. He connected with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a 34-yard scoring strike late in the second quarter, briefly putting the Browns ahead 8-7 after a 2-point conversion by running back Quinshon Judkins. But momentum evaporated as Cleveland managed zero points in the second half and botched two fourth-and-shot attempts, including a disastrous snap mishandle by Fannin on Fourth-and-1 from their own 33-yard line with the score 10-8. That turnover led to a Brock Purdy touchdown run, ballooning the lead to two scores.

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Stefanski praised Sanders’ battle-tested mentality saying, “He’s battling, like all of our guys… We’ll look at it and correct them.” Sanders echoed the sentiment post-game, “Obviously we lost, so I ain’t play well… At least moving forward I know what we could do differently.” He also shook off a brief ankle tweak after a late scramble, returning after one snap with backup Dillon Gabriel.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Browns are open to an extended audition for Sanders, akin to Gabriel’s six straight starts earlier this season before his concussion.

From Debut Win to Sideline Friction: Building Chemistry Takes Time

Shedeur Sanders burst onto the scene with an impressive debut start in Week 12, leading the Browns to a 24-10 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his initial outing since 1995.

However, his second start against the 49ers wasn’t a total wash with 149 yards and a TD showed growth, but the loss highlighted growing pains not entirely on the rookie. Also a heated sideline spat with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy went viral after an overthrow on a potential long-yard bomb and a three-and-out. Jeudy clapped furiously at Sanders forcing center Ethan Pocic to intervene.

Jeudy who’s dropped eight passes this season and leads the NFL with nine, has just four catches (two drops, one fumble) in Sanders’ two starts, sparking fan backlash labeling him a “bad teammate” for berating the QB publicly.

Shedeur Sanders has two starts. In those two starts, Jerry Jeudy has 4 catches, 2 dropped passes, and 1 fumble.

Through 10 games with Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco, Jeudy had 28 catches with 8 drops, a lousy 2.8 catches per game average, and this is how he disrespects his QB. pic.twitter.com/IP6Ov09pT4
— Hovah76 (@hovah76) November 30, 2025

There is a lot wrong for the Browns, but they need to start coming in together as a group if they wish to win games. The biggest problem, however, is still with their O-line which is one of the worst in the league.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.