Shedeur Sanders, 23, delivered a breakout performance on Sunday as he led the Cleveland Browns to a decisive 24–10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. In his first NFL start, the rookie quarterback threw for 209 yards, including a 66-yard bomb to running back Dylan Sampson that instantly became one of the Browns’ most replayed highlights of the season. He also added one interception and finished with a quarterback rating of 87.3.

What made the moment even more historic is that Sanders snapped the Browns’ long-standing and painful 0–17 streak of quarterbacks losing their first career start—a record that dated back to 1995 (source: ESPN).

A Surprising Rise to QB1

Sanders secured the starting role on Nov. 23, stepping in after fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol following a head injury sustained against the Baltimore Ravens (source: NFL.com). For weeks, Sanders had taken limited snaps while waiting behind Gabriel, who the Browns drafted 94th overall.

Despite being the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, the young quarterback arrived in Cleveland without lofty expectations from analysts. As the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, his fall into the fifth round was a shock to many college football watchers who once viewed him as a potential high-round selection. Even Deion Sanders had repeatedly said his son was “a top-five talent” during their time together at Jackson State and Colorado (source: The Athletic).

Trump’s Controversial Support

One of Shedeur’s loudest—and most polarizing—defenders during draft season was President Donald Trump, 79. After Shedeur unexpectedly slid down the draft board, Trump blasted NFL owners for choosing five other quarterbacks ahead of the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner. His criticism included the Browns' own decision to take Gabriel in the third round.

“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?... Shedeur… has PHENOMENAL GENES,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 25 (source: Associated Press).

Following Shedeur’s big win against the Raiders, Trump returned to social media to claim he had predicted the rookie’s success: “Shedeur Sanders was GREAT… I TOLD YOU SO!”

The reaction online was split. Some sports fans applauded Trump’s comments, while others mocked him for attempting to take credit for the quarterback’s success. “The only truth he has EVER told,” one user posted. Another fan joked that agreeing with Trump was “not on my 2025 bingo card.”

Still others warned that Trump’s support felt like a “curse” rather than a compliment.

Frustration with Coach Stefanski

Conversations around Sanders’ debut weren’t limited to politics. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, 43, faced backlash from fans and analysts who felt he failed to properly acknowledge the magnitude of Sanders’ performance.

In the locker-room video shared after the win, Stefanski praised several players before saying only, “Another rookie making his first start, nice job, Shedeur.” Many thought the remark lacked enthusiasm—especially given that Sanders had just broken a franchise curse and helped secure only the team’s third win of the season.

“They hate this man so much,” one fan posted on Threads. Another said Stefanski was a “poor excuse for a coach” who “doesn’t like the kid.”

Sports commentator and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe was particularly outspoken. On his Nightcap podcast, he criticized Stefanski’s reluctance to commit to Sanders as the Week 13 starter.

“This notion that this thing is even close… And he does that on the road in a hostile environment, and all you got for him is that?” Sharpe said (source: Fox Sports).

Initially, Stefanski avoided confirming whether Sanders would start on Nov. 30 against the San Francisco 49ers. But by Monday, he announced that Shedeur would again lead the offense.

Shedeur Responds to His Critics

Despite the drama swirling around him, Sanders remained unfazed when speaking to the media.

“A lot of people want to see me fail,” he said confidently. “It ain’t gonna happen.”

His calm, defiant tone echoed the resilience he displayed throughout a college career filled with scrutiny and high expectations. Now, with a historic debut behind him, Sanders appears ready to define his own path—both because of and in spite of the attention that comes with being “Coach Prime’s” son.

Trump’s Long-Running Battle with the NFL

Trump’s involvement in the Sanders conversation also revived discussion about his long, complicated history with the NFL. From criticizing Colin Kaepernick’s protests in 2016 to feuding with owners over player activism, Trump has frequently used the league as a political flashpoint (source: New York Times).

His appearance on the jumbotron at a Washington Commanders home game earlier this month made headlines when fans responded with loud boos during their matchup against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 9.

As debates continue—about Stephens’ decisions, about Trump’s commentary, about Sanders’ future—the rookie quarterback has kept his focus steady. Whether he becomes Cleveland’s long-term starter remains to be seen, but his first NFL moment is already cemented as one of the league’s most discussed debuts of the season.