Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has officially confirmed that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will retain his starting role for the team's upcoming Week 14 clash. The Browns will face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 15, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Stefanski Backs Young QB Despite Loss
The decision comes on the heels of Cleveland's 26–8 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. Speaking to reporters in Berea, Ohio, on Monday, December 9, Stefanski emphasized the team's commitment to Sanders's development. He stated that the young quarterback is navigating the same challenges as his teammates and remains a competitor the organization believes in.
"Obviously he’s battling like all of our guys are battling," Stefanski said. "I know there’s plays he wants back, but we’ll look at it and correct it." With the regular season winding down, the Browns' focus is squarely on providing Sanders with valuable live-game experience to accelerate his growth.
Analyzing Sanders's Performance Against 49ers
In the loss to San Francisco on December 8, Sanders's stat line was a mixed bag. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and threw one touchdown. However, he was also sacked three times, resulting in a loss of 34 yards.
The highlight of his day was a 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. late in the second quarter. Both Sanders and Stefanski revealed this was a play they had meticulously practiced for weeks. Stefanski praised the execution and credited offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the well-timed call.
Sanders showed promise early, completing 8 of 11 passes for 96 yards and the touchdown in the first half. Reflecting on his performance, Sanders acknowledged room for improvement. "There’s definitely things on film that I want to get back to and fix," he said. "Moving forward, I know what we can do differently during the week to be ready."
Sanders's Journey to the Starting Role
Shedeur Sanders first entered the NFL fray in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens after starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. His performance earned him his first professional start the following week against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he led the Browns to an impressive 24–10 victory.
Now set for his third consecutive start, Sanders turns his attention to the Tennessee Titans. For the Browns, the priority in Week 14 is less about the final score and more about witnessing tangible progress from their young signal-caller. This game presents another crucial opportunity for Sanders to demonstrate he has the tools to be Cleveland's quarterback of the future.
