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Despite Shedeur Sanders’ impressive performance, the Browns seem hesitant to fully rely on him.
This sentiment was evident on Sunday, when coach Kevin Stefanski opted for a trick play during a crucial two-point conversion attempt. Sanders had successfully orchestrated two touchdown drives in the last six minutes of the game, yet the Browns fell short 31-29 in a home game against the Titans.
In that pivotal moment, Sanders was noticeably absent from the field. Instead, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins took a direct snap, ran to his right, and attempted a pass across his body that ultimately fell incomplete with just 63 seconds remaining.
The play appeared to involve a reversed handoff that went awry due to a timing mishap.
“I won’t go into all the details, but it clearly didn’t unfold as planned,” Stefanski admitted, taking responsibility instead of placing the blame on offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. “That one’s on me. I’m accountable for the entire situation.”
Sanders made his third career start after waiting behind Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. It came against the news backdrop that the Browns might actually turn back to the disastrous Deshaun Watson as a starter in 2026, Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
He also ran for 29 yards and a touchdown.
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The Browns trailed 31-17 when Sanders ran for a 7-yard touchdown with 4:27 remaining.
Instead of kicking the PAT, the Browns went for two (an analytics-based decision) and failed.
Trailing 31-23, Sanders led a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that was finished off by his 7-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr.
After the gadget play failed, the Browns could not recover an onside kick and Sanders never got his hands back on the ball.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick, is the first rookie quarterback to throw for 300 yards this season.
