Will Shedeur Sanders Be QB1 Over Dillon Gabriel for Browns vs. Titans? HC Reveals Plan

Shedeur Sanders will get another week at starting quarterback.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after Sunday's 26-8 loss against the San Francisco 49ers that Sanders will remain atop the depth chart for Week 14's matchup against the Tennessee Titans and fellow rookie quarterback Cam Ward.

▶️ Full 49ers-Browns Recap

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Sanders was dreadful in his first NFL appearance in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, coming on in relief duty for the injured Dillon Gabriel and finishing 4-of-16 for 47 yards, an interception and two sacks taken.

He's been better since, with two weeks of practice running the first-team offense, though his performances haven't exactly screamed "future franchise quarterback" just yet:

• Week 12: 11-of-20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, interception and a sack taken in a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Week 13: 16-of-25 for 149 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and three sacks taken in a 26-8 loss against the Niners.

Shedeur's 1st Home TD 🏠

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He suffered a slight ankle injury in the second half on Sunday, leaving the game for one play, though he told reporters after the contest that he was "good."

It makes sense for the Browns to continue giving Sanders playing time. Gabriel didn't exactly impress when given his shot and the Browns have to decide whether they have a quarterback to build around. Cleveland has two first-round picks in 2026; if neither Gabriel or Sanders is deemed starting material, the Browns are going to address the position early in the draft.

So Sanders is essentially being given an extended audition, much as Gabriel was earlier in the season. Him getting the better of Ward and the Titans would certainly aid the effort to convince Cleveland's front office that he has the juice to be a long-term starter.