5 Shocking Details Behind The Browns’ QB Announcement: Shedeur Sanders Named Starter For Rest Of 2025 Season

The Cleveland Browns have officially ended weeks of speculation and uncertainty, making a definitive starting quarterback announcement for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season. In a clear signal that the franchise is pivoting to a new era, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has named rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as the undisputed QB1. This monumental decision, confirmed on December 10, 2025, comes as the team faces a challenging stretch of games and is forced to confront the long-term future of its most expensive player, Deshaun Watson, whose devastating injury has completely reshaped the team's trajectory.

The move to solidify Sanders as the starter, rather than continuing a week-to-week evaluation, is a massive vote of confidence in the fifth-round pick's potential. It signifies a shift from trying to salvage a struggling season to fully committing to the development of a young passer. The announcement has immediate implications for the team's offensive scheme under new Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees and sets the stage for a compelling final quarter of the season for the AFC North franchise.

Shedeur Sanders: Complete Player Profile & Rookie Biography

The Cleveland Browns’ new starting quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, brings a high-profile background and a decorated collegiate career to the NFL. His selection as the full-time starter for the 2025 season marks a significant milestone in his professional journey, transitioning from a late-round draft pick to the face of the franchise in a matter of weeks.

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• Full Name: Shedeur Sanders
• Date of Birth (DOB): July 2, 2002
• Age: 23 years old (as of the announcement)
• Height: 6 ft 2 in – 6 ft 3 in (1.88 m)
• Weight: 212–215 lbs (96–98 kgs)
• College Career: Jackson State Tigers (2021–2022) and Colorado Buffaloes (2023–2024)
• NFL Draft: 2025 NFL Draft, 5th Round, 144th Overall Pick (Selected by the Cleveland Browns)
• Key College Awards: Jerry Rice Award (2021), Deacon Jones Trophy (2022), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2024)
• NFL Experience: Rookie (R)

Sanders’ college career was marked by exceptional precision and leadership, particularly during his time at Jackson State and his high-profile move to the University of Colorado. His ability to manage the game and avoid interceptions was a hallmark of his play, which Head Coach Kevin Stefanski likely valued when making the final decision for the starting QB role.

The Devastating Injury Crisis That Forced Stefanski's Hand

The official announcement of Shedeur Sanders as the permanent starter is inextricably linked to the catastrophic injury situation surrounding Deshaun Watson. The veteran quarterback’s health crisis created a void that the rookie was eventually called upon to fill, turning a short-term emergency into a long-term commitment.

Deshaun Watson’s 2025 Status: Out for the Season

The primary reason for the shift is the devastating health outlook for Deshaun Watson. Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon for the second time in three months, an injury that required significant surgery. The severity of the injury means Watson is not expected to play for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season. This dire prognosis, which some sources suggest could sideline him for all of 2025, made the decision to move forward with a new quarterback an organizational imperative.

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Despite his absence, the Browns plan to keep the veteran on the roster, with his fully guaranteed contract running through the 2026 season. The team’s general manager has acknowledged that Watson’s return-to-play status is highly uncertain, pushing the organization to focus on developing talent already on the roster. The financial commitment to Watson, coupled with his inability to play, has put an enormous spotlight on Sanders’ performance.

The Rookie’s Impressive Performance

While injuries opened the door, Sanders’ play is what kept him in the starting lineup. After stepping in, he delivered an impressive enough performance to solidify his spot as QB1. The rookie showed flashes of the precision and composure that defined his college career, convincing Stefanski and the coaching staff that he was the best option to lead the offense, even if it means enduring typical rookie growing pains.

The decision to name him the starter for the final four games of the 2025 season is a clear indication that the team is ready to embrace the future, prioritizing development over short-term veteran stopgaps. This move is a calculated risk, but one the Browns felt necessary given the current 3-9 team record and increasingly slim playoff chances.

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A New Era: The Sanders-Rees Partnership and Future Outlook

The commitment to Shedeur Sanders is not just a quarterback change; it represents a philosophical shift for the Cleveland Browns offense. The rookie will now be working closely with the team’s new offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, who is also navigating a new role.

The Tommy Rees Factor

In a significant change for the 2025 season, the Browns elevated Tommy Rees to Offensive Coordinator, and he has taken over play-calling duties from Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. This partnership is crucial for Sanders’ development. Rees, who joined the Browns after spending time as a college coordinator, is now tasked with building an offense tailored to the young quarterback's strengths.

The pairing of a rookie quarterback and a relatively new play-caller suggests the Browns are prepared for an overhaul of their offensive identity. The success of the Sanders-Rees partnership will define the trajectory of the franchise over the next few seasons, moving away from the previous scheme built around the veteran QBs.

The Quarterback Depth Chart and Key Entities

The Browns’ quarterback room is now a mix of youth and uncertainty. With Watson sidelined, the depth chart is restructured around the rookie starter.

• QB1: Shedeur Sanders
• QB2: Dillon Gabriel
• Reserve/PUP: Deshaun Watson

Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, now serves as the immediate backup. Gabriel, who also had an accomplished college career, is an important developmental entity, offering the Browns a safety net and a second young prospect to build around. The development of both Sanders and Gabriel will be a primary focus for the coaching staff, including Stefanski and Rees.

Sanders will be relying on key veteran leaders on the offense, such as offensive linemen Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, to provide stability and protection as he learns the professional game. The team’s struggles, including a 3-9 record for the 2025 season, have made the pivot to a youth movement a necessary step, prioritizing the future success of the franchise over an increasingly unlikely playoff bid. The decision to name Sanders the starter is a definitive end to the Browns’ quarterback carousel and the beginning of a new chapter in Cleveland.