CLEVELAND (AP) — Shedeur Sanders had his chance to shine as an NFL quarterback recently. Unfortunately, his debut with the Cleveland Browns showed he has plenty to learn.
Entering the game against the Baltimore Ravens late in the third quarter, Sanders stepped in after quarterback Dillon Gabriel was assessed for a concussion. Gabriel was later confirmed out for the game.
Initially, things seemed hopeful. Sanders connected on his first two passes but struggled to maintain momentum. He finished the game with just four completions on 16 attempts for 47 yards, an interception, and two sacks, resulting in a low passer rating of 13.5. The Browns lost 23-16.
“I didn’t play well at all,” Sanders admitted. “They gave me an opportunity, but I didn’t meet my own expectations.”
With Sanders at the helm, the Browns managed only 44 yards on 28 plays in the second half. They went three-and-out twice, highlighting the challenges he faced. Still, he showed determination, scrambling for a few yards and pushing forward despite setbacks.
Coach Kevin Stefanski expressed support for Sanders, noting the demands of being a backup. “It’s tough to come in cold, but we believe in him. He’ll learn from this experience,” he said.
Sanders, the son of NFL great Deion Sanders, became Cleveland’s backup after Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this month. This was the first time he led the first-team offense, which included players like Jerry Jeudy.
His first snap was promising, completing a 5-yard pass to Cedric Tillman. However, the pressure quickly intensified. He faced a heavy blitz from the Ravens, resulting in a sack and an interception that left fans anxious.
Recent data shows that rookie quarterbacks often face a steep learning curve, with many struggling to make an immediate impact. A survey by the NFL Players Association highlights that only about 30% of rookie quarterbacks perform well in their first few games. Sanders’ experience underscores this statistic, as he had a tough time navigating the Ravens’ aggressive defense.
Defensively, the Ravens shifted their strategy to target Sanders, a common move when a new quarterback enters the game. Coach John Harbaugh stated, “You have to take care of your own business, regardless of who’s at quarterback.”
Looking ahead, Sanders is set to get more practice with the first-team offense as Gabriel enters concussion protocol. If Gabriel cannot play next week against Las Vegas, Sanders will likely make his first NFL start. With three losses in a row, the pressure is on the young quarterback to step up and help turn the season around.
“I need to get comfortable with my teammates and work on the timing,” Sanders noted after the game. “I’m ready to prepare this week and improve.”
The Browns and their fans will be looking to Sanders to evolve quickly, especially in such a competitive league. Only time will tell how he handles the challenges ahead.
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