Report: Browns open to giving Sanders extended look as starter

The Cleveland Browns are open to giving Shedeur Sanders an extended look as their starting quarterback, similar to the run Dillon Gabriel got earlier in the season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

However, much of that decision will be dictated by how Sanders looks against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Schefter adds.

The Browns were reportedly impressed with Sanders in his first career start last week. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanders got the nod against the Raiders after Gabriel was ruled out with a concussion. Even with Gabriel clearing concussion protocol this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski named Sanders the starter for this weekend.

"I'm definitely not comfortable, though, so that's first and foremost that I have another opportunity to go out there," Sanders said Wednesday about getting another chance as Cleveland's starter, per Schefter. "But in life, you got to understand how quickly things come or how long it comes, it could be taken at any point in time."

"So I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in. I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week, I would want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there."

Gabriel was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft, two rounds before Cleveland drafted Sanders.

Gabriel went 1-5 in six starts, completing 58.9% of his throws in those contests with 918 passing yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. Out of 34 qualifying quarterbacks this season, Gabriel ranks 31st in EPA/play and last in success rate, according to Ben Baldwin's database.