Shedeur Sanders makes NFL debut as Dillon Gabriel gets concussion

Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut on Sunday, stepping in as the Browns’ quarterback after rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion early in the third quarter. Sanders showed promise on his first drive, completing two passes for 12 yards, but was ultimately sacked on third down, leading to a punt from their own 14-yard line while holding a six-point lead against the Ravens.

Unfortunately, Sanders threw an interception on his next drive after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Despite the rocky start, Sanders, who is 23 years old, was once considered a potential top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He had a successful college career at Colorado, playing under the guidance of his father, Deion Sanders.

The Browns took a chance on Sanders in the fifth round of the draft, following two rounds after they selected Gabriel, who is 24. This move came after Joe Flacco, the team’s initial starter, was benched due to a 1-3 start to the season. Flacco was later traded to the Bengals, where he assumed the starting role in the absence of Joe Burrow, who was sidelined with an injury.

Heading into Sunday’s game, the Browns had a record of 1-4 over Gabriel’s first five starts. During this period, Gabriel completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 850 yards, throwing six touchdowns and two interceptions. The transition to Sanders brings a new dynamic to the Browns’ offense, offering a fresh perspective and potential for growth as the season progresses.