UPDATE: Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is under pressure as fans eagerly await news on whether rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will lead the team against the San Francisco 49ers on October 8, 2023. Following a decisive 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Stefanski deflected questions about the starting position, saying, “I’m not going to get into that.”
The Browns are riding high after Sanders’ impressive first NFL start, where he passed for 209 yards and one touchdown, completing 11 of 20 attempts with an 87.3 passer rating. His performance has left fans buzzing, especially as he became the first rookie quarterback since Eric Zeier in 1995 to win his starting debut.
This victory snapped a long-standing 13-game road losing streak for the Browns, improving their record to 3-8. Many are now questioning why the Browns opted for third-round pick Dillon Gabriel for the first six games of the season, during which the team struggled to a 1-5 record. Gabriel was sidelined on Sunday due to a concussion sustained in a prior loss to the Ravens.
Sanders faced challenges during his debut, including a second-quarter interception, but his ability to maintain composure under pressure and deliver crucial plays proved vital. On one notable drive, he connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a key 17-yard gain, and later executed a stunning 52-yard pass to rookie Isaiah Bond, marking the longest play for the Browns this season.
“Offensively, there was some good, some bad, some big plays,” Stefanski noted, emphasizing Sanders’ potential.
Fans and analysts alike are calling for Sanders to take the reins as the full-time starter, a sentiment echoed by former Browns quarterback Terry Pluto. As the team prepares for the matchup against the 49ers, all eyes are on Stefanski’s next move and whether this rookie can lead the Browns to further success.
As the situation develops, expect urgent updates on Sanders’ status leading up to the game. Will he solidify his position as the starting quarterback, or will the Browns pivot back to Gabriel? Stay tuned for the latest developments.
