Shedeur 1, Haters 0. Sanders had answer for every NFL draft snub Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY November 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM 0 Shedeur 1, Haters 0. Sanders had answer for every NFL draft snub What a scrapbook memory for Shedeur Sanders. Coach Prime came to witness his son's first NFL start. A suspect Raiders defense played along. Myles Garrett was there on his side. And how. Lights. Camera. Action.
- - Shedeur 1, Haters 0. Sanders had answer for every NFL draft snub
Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY November 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM
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Shedeur 1, Haters 0. Sanders had answer for every NFL draft snub
What a scrapbook memory for Shedeur Sanders. Coach Prime came to witness his son's first NFL start. A suspect Raiders defense played along. Myles Garrett was there on his side. And how.
Lights. Camera. Action.
When it was over, after the NFL's highest-profiled rookie – fifth-round draft status or not – came out as a winner with the Cleveland Browns he flashed his million-watt smile and essentially said he told you so.
"Hopefully, we cleared a little stuff up," Sanders said after the 24-10 victory in Las Vegas on Sunday. "But we have a long way to go, a long way to grow. I know it's only one way. And the only way is up."
That bit of instant self-analysis was appropriate enough, given the saga. Sanders, the projected first-round pick who plummeted to the fifth round, finally got a chance to crack the lineup, given the concussion that sidelined fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. And for a quarterback who finally got some quality practice reps with the starters, due to the looming assignment, he made a pretty good statement about his potential.
The numbers don't leap off your fantasy scoresheet. Sanders barely completed half his passes (11 of 20, for 209 yards, with a TD, an INT and an 87.3 efficiency rating). The Browns tallied just 11 first downs under his command, which is what happens when you're 3-for-12 on third downs. And while his first NFL touchdown throw went for 66 yards, rookie running back Dylan Sampson did the heavy lifting, weaving and darting his way to paydirt after taking a swing pass in the flat.
1 / 12See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.
Yet Sanders was ready for his big moment nonetheless, and he'll step right up as the buzz will surely intensify over the decision facing Browns coach Kevin Stefanski about which rookie quarterback starts when both are healthy.
After preseason 'competition,' Shedeur Sanders finally gets his chance at QB1
Sanders, the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise rebooted in 1999, became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win in his debut start since Eric Zeier in 1995. And he produced the two longest plays of the season for the Browns (3-8).
He didn't get a real crack when the competition was supposedly open during the summer. Perhaps he will get a shot now, considering the production he displayed with a week of dedicated preparation and the jolt of energy he brings as part of his package.
Not only did Sanders not wet his pants inside the giant Roomba-looking venue near The Strip, (ala Allegiant Stadium) he demonstrated what could make him special – as it did when he played for his father, Deion Sanders, at Colorado – as a playmaker. On a third-and-eight late in the first quarter, Sanders rolled away from a free blitzer coming up the middle and connected with Isaiah Bond on a 52-yard dime that set up the Quinshon Judkins 2-yard TD run that, with the conversion, made it 14-0.
As Stefanski put it, "I think you saw a lot of what Shedeur does well on the field today, to make that play off-schedule when we were outmanned in protection, to get the ball down the field."
Tim Couch #2
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WUrK7Fo class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Tim Couch #2
">Tim Couch #2
" src=https://ift.tt/WUrK7Fo class=caas-img>Ty Detmer #11
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L92Yvoy class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Ty Detmer #11
">Ty Detmer #11
" src=https://ift.tt/L92Yvoy class=caas-img>Doug Pederson #18
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Y1gy9ce class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Doug Pederson #18
">Doug Pederson #18
" src=https://ift.tt/Y1gy9ce class=caas-img>Spergon Wynn #13
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UyzlrJ0 class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Spergon Wynn #13
">Spergon Wynn #13
" src=https://ift.tt/UyzlrJ0 class=caas-img>Kelly Holcomb #10
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ka9wYPg class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Kelly Holcomb #10
">Kelly Holcomb #10
" src=https://ift.tt/ka9wYPg class=caas-img>Jeff Garcia #5
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UB5Mpyv class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jeff Garcia #5
">Jeff Garcia #5
" src=https://ift.tt/UB5Mpyv class=caas-img>Luke McCown #12
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NZ90jrU class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Luke McCown #12
">Luke McCown #12
" src=https://ift.tt/NZ90jrU class=caas-img>Trent Dilfer #8
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UJvZNBb class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Trent Dilfer #8
">Trent Dilfer #8
" src=https://ift.tt/UJvZNBb class=caas-img>Charlie Frye #9
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bDfvTEl class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Charlie Frye #9
">Charlie Frye #9
" src=https://ift.tt/bDfvTEl class=caas-img>Derek Anderson #3
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uT6v2QP class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Derek Anderson #3
">Derek Anderson #3
" src=https://ift.tt/uT6v2QP class=caas-img>Brady Quinn #10
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yMr8AoN class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Brady Quinn #10
">Brady Quinn #10
" src=https://ift.tt/yMr8AoN class=caas-img>Ken Dorsey #11
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0kaRMEI class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Ken Dorsey #11
">Ken Dorsey #11
" src=https://ift.tt/0kaRMEI class=caas-img>Bruce Gradkowski #7
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Uq5MWGC class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Bruce Gradkowski #7
">Bruce Gradkowski #7
" src=https://ift.tt/Uq5MWGC class=caas-img>Seneca Wallace #6
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JVI69A4 class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Seneca Wallace #6
">Seneca Wallace #6
" src=https://ift.tt/JVI69A4 class=caas-img>Jake Delhomme #17
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5G8iTqb class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jake Delhomme #17
">Jake Delhomme #17
" src=https://ift.tt/5G8iTqb class=caas-img>Colt McCoy #12
" data-src=https://ift.tt/91JQB3v class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Colt McCoy #12
">Colt McCoy #12
" src=https://ift.tt/91JQB3v class=caas-img>Thaddeus Lewis #9
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nNh7sDw class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Thaddeus Lewis #9
">Thaddeus Lewis #9
" src=https://ift.tt/nNh7sDw class=caas-img>Brandon Weeden #3
" data-src=https://ift.tt/w0YzBEH class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Brandon Weeden #3
">Brandon Weeden #3
" src=https://ift.tt/w0YzBEH class=caas-img>Jason Campbell #17
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vlSzkTU class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jason Campbell #17
">Jason Campbell #17
" src=https://ift.tt/vlSzkTU class=caas-img>Brian Hoyer #6
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AtENJob class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Brian Hoyer #6
">Brian Hoyer #6
" src=https://ift.tt/AtENJob class=caas-img>Johnny Manziel #2
" data-src=https://ift.tt/djiLXz1 class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Johnny Manziel #2
">Johnny Manziel #2
" src=https://ift.tt/djiLXz1 class=caas-img>Connor Shaw #9
" data-src=https://ift.tt/70h8Mns class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Connor Shaw #9
">Connor Shaw #9
" src=https://ift.tt/70h8Mns class=caas-img>Josh McCown #13
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GYCNgLK class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Josh McCown #13
">Josh McCown #13
" src=https://ift.tt/GYCNgLK class=caas-img>Austin Davis #7
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5rLKpnX class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Austin Davis #7
">Austin Davis #7
" src=https://ift.tt/5rLKpnX class=caas-img>Cody Kessler #6
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dwTVlsM class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Cody Kessler #6
">Cody Kessler #6
" src=https://ift.tt/dwTVlsM class=caas-img>Robert Griffin III #10
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mkCNXPZ class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Robert Griffin III #10
">Robert Griffin III #10
" src=https://ift.tt/mkCNXPZ class=caas-img>DeShone Kizer #7
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wmKs6pf class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
DeShone Kizer #7
">DeShone Kizer #7
" src=https://ift.tt/wmKs6pf class=caas-img>Kevin Hogan #8
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sQNxv3C class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Kevin Hogan #8
">Kevin Hogan #8
" src=https://ift.tt/sQNxv3C class=caas-img>Baker Mayfield #6
" data-src=https://ift.tt/z9HvAuS class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Baker Mayfield #6
">Baker Mayfield #6
" src=https://ift.tt/z9HvAuS class=caas-img>Tyrod Taylor #5
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Firvamf class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Tyrod Taylor #5
">Tyrod Taylor #5
" src=https://ift.tt/Firvamf class=caas-img>Case Keenum #5
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EikuNyG class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Case Keenum #5
">Case Keenum #5
" src=https://ift.tt/EikuNyG class=caas-img> Nick Mullens #9
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HrxBXkw class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Nick Mullens #9
"> Nick Mullens #9
" src=https://ift.tt/HrxBXkw class=caas-img>Jacoby Brissett #7
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OLKIzMV class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jacoby Brissett #7
">Jacoby Brissett #7
" src=https://ift.tt/OLKIzMV class=caas-img>Deshaun Watson #4
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NUXjIY7 class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Deshaun Watson #4
">Deshaun Watson #4
" src=https://ift.tt/NUXjIY7 class=caas-img>PJ Walker #10
" data-src=https://ift.tt/slRb4mX class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
PJ Walker #10
">PJ Walker #10
" src=https://ift.tt/slRb4mX class=caas-img>Jeff Driskel #12
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ki7MAQC class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jeff Driskel #12
">Jeff Driskel #12
" src=https://ift.tt/ki7MAQC class=caas-img>Joe Flacco #15
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p5k2WNY class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Joe Flacco #15
">Joe Flacco #15
" src=https://ift.tt/p5k2WNY class=caas-img>Dorian Thompson-Robinson #17
" data-src=https://ift.tt/01kQJRY class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Dorian Thompson-Robinson #17
">Dorian Thompson-Robinson #17
" src=https://ift.tt/01kQJRY class=caas-img>Jameis Winston #5
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FP90Rwh class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Jameis Winston #5
">Jameis Winston #5
" src=https://ift.tt/FP90Rwh class=caas-img>Bailey Zappe #2
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wmKgYPl class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Bailey Zappe #2
">Bailey Zappe #2
" src=https://ift.tt/wmKgYPl class=caas-img>Dillon Gabriel #8
" data-src=https://ift.tt/x7Tn8FL class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Dillon Gabriel #8
">Dillon Gabriel #8
" src=https://ift.tt/x7Tn8FL class=caas-img>Shedeur Sanders #12
" data-src=https://ift.tt/puEFBw9 class=caas-img data-headline="Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield" data-caption="
Shedeur Sanders #12
">Shedeur Sanders #12
" src=https://ift.tt/puEFBw9 class=caas-img>
1 / 42Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield
Tim Couch #2
Myles Garrett's brilliance finally rewarded in Browns win
It helped immensely that Sanders had the backing of one of the NFL's best defenses, led by the incomparable Garrett, who again showed why there's no debate that he's hurtling toward another NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Poor Geno Smith.
The Browns sacked Smith 10 times and Garrett collected three of the sacks to go with his two forced fumbles, six quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. Garrett broke his own single-season franchise record for sacks, leaving with 18, which leaves him five sacks shy of the all-time NFL record – with six games to play.
Still, the "best supporting" role for Sanders was significant enough. Think about the quarterback-needy teams that passed on Sanders, including the Raiders, who drafted running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth pick overall. Las Vegas drafted wide receiver Jack Bech in the second round (58th overall), cornerback Darrien Porter (68th) early in the third round, plus four other prospects before Sanders was picked 144th overall.
Interestingly, former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told CBS that had he still been in his previous position that he would have ensured that the team drafted Sanders – and he insisted that Raiders owner Mark Davis agreed with that position. Pierce, though, was replaced by Pete Carroll, aligned with new GM John Spytek, while Tom Brady consults.
Maybe Sanders just delivered some payback to the Raiders to start his revenge tour.
"I was a fifth-round pick," he said. "I got skipped by everybody. At least five times."
Hey, the revenge tour could take years.
To his credit, Sanders didn't play into that theme on Sunday.
"It just comes with the game," he said. "It is what it is. But I'm just thankful for where I am now. Everybody has their differences, but I still got an opportunity to play … The money's different, but thankfully, I have a good family."
From distraction to proud papa. Deion Sanders cheers on son's first win
Ah, the family. The video clip of Deion greeting Shedeur in the tunnel before the game went viral. In the days leading up to Sunday, Coach Prime didn't commit to making the trip from Colorado – where his Buffaloes fell to 3-8 with a home loss against Arizona State on Saturday night – but obviously was compelled to capture the moment.
After all, Shedeur made it back to Boulder during the Browns' bye week. And it's not every day that one of his sons makes his first NFL start.
No, Deion was anything but a distraction. During the game, the TV cameras caught him in a suite looking like any other proud father cheering on his son's biggest plays.
Still, the father-son connection, as beneficial as it is on many levels, was one of the residuals from the draft plummet for Shedeur as some decision-makers expressed uneasiness with the dynamic.
Time will tell whether that was a huge mistake in judgment by some NFL teams. To this point, though, it was part of the equation that resulted in Sanders falling way deeper in the draft than many in the NFL universe imagined and winding up as the "second" rookie quarterback on his team, buried deeper on the depth chart than he's ever been.
"That's how life is," Sanders said. "Everybody's not in the best situation, but it's no excuse. You've got to go out and perform. It's no choice. Nobody cares if this was one week of prep. Who cares?
"So, a lot of people want to see me fail. It ain't going to happen."
Haters or not, it merely must be proven over and over again.
Contact Jarrett Bell at [email protected] or follow on X: @JarrettBell
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns Shedeur Sanders' first start answers every NFL draft snub
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: November 24, 2025 at 12:27AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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