Shedeur Sanders Sets Out to Prove He Belongs: Browns Rookie Faces Crucial Test Against 49ers

November 28, 2025

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CLEVELAND — The city is buzzing. The fans are hopeful. And all eyes are on Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback who just made history for the Cleveland Browns. After a dramatic first start that snapped a three-decade drought, Sanders is preparing for an even bigger challenge this weekend: facing the mighty San Francisco 49ers.

Historic Debut, Legendary Pressure

Last Sunday, Sanders became the first Browns quarterback since Eric Zeier in 1995 to win his NFL debut. His stat line: 209 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception. The win came in front of his father—NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders—adding a personal touch to an already emotional evening.

But as Sanders gears up for his second start, the stakes are rising. This isn’t just another NFL game. It’s an audition for his future, not only in Cleveland, but in the league as a whole. And the expectations? They’re sky-high.

KMart’s View: Growth Over Heroics

Kimberly Martin, known to Browns fans as “KMart” for her near-constant coverage of the team, will be in Cleveland again this weekend. She’s watched Sanders’ journey closely and believes the key for him is continued growth—not instant stardom.

“I want to see him look like he is in command of the offense,” Martin said. “I want to see him confident in the pocket, escaping pressure. I want to see him being able to work within the pocket, climb the pocket, and then sort of move around and make the plays that we’re used to seeing Shedeur make.”

Martin is quick to point out that Sanders isn’t the “X factor” for the Browns. Cleveland’s wide receiving corps has struggled, and the offense overall is a tough environment for any rookie quarterback. For Martin, the strength of the team is its defense—led by superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett, who will be looking to feast on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Still, Sanders’ performance matters. Martin sees these final six games as a chance for Sanders to prove that he’s more than a fifth-round pick, that he deserved to be drafted higher, and that he can be a starter in the NFL.

“Just continue building. This is an audition. This is not about just the Browns. This is about 32 organizations passed over four rounds, almost five, and now you have an opportunity… to show that you know what, I’m not a fifth-round pick. I should have been a first-round pick or a second-round pick and I deserve to be a starter in the NFL.”

Mad Dog’s Caution: “Not Ready to Say He’s the Answer”

Not everyone is sold on Sanders’ long-term prospects. “Mad Dog” Russo, the legendary radio host and analyst, remains skeptical.

“He played okay on Sunday. I mean, he made a couple good throws but that defense won the game. They had 10 sacks and Garrett had three or four sacks by himself. That was what the game was about.”

Russo acknowledges Sanders’ flashes of talent—the beautiful deep ball to Isaiah Bond, the poise under pressure. But he also points to risky throws, including a high sideline screen that nearly resulted in an interception.

“I thought he played okay. I’m not ready to say that he’s the answer long term. Let’s see what he does in the next five games.”

Stephen A. Smith: “Prove You Belong”

Stephen A. Smith, never shy about his opinions, wants to see Sanders look like an NFL quarterback—period. For Smith, it’s about command, confidence, and putting to rest any doubts about the Browns’ quarterback situation.

“I want him to look like somebody that shows that he belongs. That he could command an offense, that he belongs behind center and we don’t have to worry about Kevin Stefanski coming up postgame and being undecided about who his quarterback should be the following Sunday.”

Smith is clear: the win over the Raiders was promising, but the real test comes against the 49ers. Despite injuries to stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, San Francisco’s defense remains formidable, thanks to the coaching of Robert Saleh.

“What’s going to be dialed up, packaged up for Shedeur Sanders is going to be significantly different than what we saw this past weekend. Shedeur Sanders goes out there, let’s say, for example, he looks the same this week as he looked last week, then we’re going to be speaking highly of him because we’re going to know he’s given us the impression that he belongs in this league.”

The Challenge Ahead: 49ers Defense

The 49ers are a different animal than the Raiders. Their defensive schemes are complex, their pass rush relentless, and their coaching top-tier. For Sanders, the challenge is clear: show poise under pressure, avoid costly mistakes, and demonstrate that he can lead an NFL offense, even against elite competition.

With another week of practice with the starting unit, Sanders should show improvement. But the margin for error is slim. The Browns’ offensive line has struggled, and the receiving corps is far from elite. Sanders will need to rely on quick decision-making, accuracy, and the ability to extend plays with his legs.

Audition for the Future

For Sanders, this isn’t just about winning games. It’s about proving he’s the future of the franchise. The Browns have cycled through quarterbacks for years, searching for stability. If Sanders can show growth, resilience, and flashes of brilliance over the next six games, he could cement his place as Cleveland’s starter—and quiet the doubters.

But as Russo and Martin remind us, patience is key. Sanders is a rookie, and the NFL is unforgiving. Heroics aren’t necessary; steady improvement is.

The Verdict

The Browns’ defense will likely be the difference-maker against the 49ers, but Sanders’ performance will be under the microscope. Can he command the offense? Can he avoid turnovers? Can he make the throws that matter when the pressure is on?

If the answer is yes, Sanders may finally give Cleveland fans a reason to believe that the long search for a franchise quarterback is over. If not, the debate will rage on, and the Browns may be back to square one come draft season.

For now, though, hope is alive in Cleveland. Sanders has the stage, the opportunity, and the challenge. All that’s left is to prove he belongs.

Stay tuned for more coverage as Shedeur Sanders and the Browns take on the 49ers in a pivotal AFC showdown.