Browns tout 'development,' will stick with QB Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders, the stage is yours for the rest of the 2025 regular season.

That was the message from Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Monday. Cleveland committed to starting the rookie quarterback for the final four games one day removed from Sanders passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns against Tennessee in the Browns' 10th loss.

"He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he's approached this game," Stefanski said. "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 and those types of things. But he's very intentional about getting better each and every game he's out there."

Sanders also ran for a score on Sunday in the 31-29 loss to the Titans, joining Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as the only rookies with at least 350 passing yards, three passing TDs and one rushing TD in a single game since the NFL-AFL merger.

In four appearances, Sanders has completed 52.4% of passes for 769 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

"We've been around each other now going back to April," Stefanski said. "The fun part of coaching is developing players and giving them tools to develop in certain areas. ... I've been really impressed with his work ethic. That's been a huge part of what we're focused on with our rookies and all our players, player development. And when they embrace it, that's the fun part."

The decision keeps third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, drafted 50 spots ahead of Sanders in 2025, in the backup role and affords Sanders the opportunity to do something Deshaun Watson has done only once in Cleveland -- start seven games in a row.

Jameis Winston started seven consecutive games last season for the Browns after Watson was the QB1 for the first seven but landed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles.

Watson is practicing with the Browns but not yet on the 53-man active roster as he recovers from two Achilles surgeries since he was first injured in October 2024. He started the final six games of the 2022 season, first serving an 11-game suspension after being acquired by the Browns from the Houston Texans.

In 2023, Watson lasted three games before he was inactive for consecutive weeks. He attempted to return and play through a shoulder injury but was shut down in mid-November.

--Field Level Media