Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders opens up about the team's recent offense struggles this season.
The Cleveland Browns’ offense took a significant step back on Sunday afternoon, resulting in a brutal loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, 26-8.
Despite holding a one-point lead with less than a minute left in the second quarter, the Browns' offense failed to score in the second half of the contest. When asked about the struggles on offense, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders told reporters that he “has to be better.”
"Life's difficult, in general, so that's not a big problem to me,” Sanders said. “I've just got to be better, overall. I've got to be able to rally everybody together when adversity is hitting. Even when I’m off, I got great teammates around me [who are] able to pick me up and keep going.”
In his second-career start with the Browns, Sanders was tasked with facing a tough 49ers’ defense in brutal weather conditions.
However, the rookie out of Colorado still managed to have a decent start, completing 19 of his 25 attempts for 149 yards. Sanders also recorded his second passing touchdown of his young career on Sunday, finding fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for the Browns’ lone touchdown.
When asked about the constant rotation of players on offense, Sanders told reporters after Sunday’s loss that he understands the frustrations with the organization this season.
"I'm sure everybody's frustrated now,” Sanders stated. “It's easy for everybody to jump on board. I think we all want to win. I think that's what Cleveland, the coaches, that's what everybody wants to win. I feel like we will be able to do what’s necessary to get that result.”
Now, the 23-year-old quarterback will have five games to prove himself before entering the offseason. The upcoming stretch of games includes three home games against the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with road matchups against the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals.
With head coach Kevin Stefanski telling reporters on Sunday that Sanders will start against the Titans, the 2025 fifth-round pick could be in line for a bounce-back performance in Week 14. This becomes a huge matchup for Sanders, as he will be up against Cam Ward in a battle between two rookie quarterbacks from the 2025 NFL Draft.