Cleveland Browns: Betting on Shedeur Sanders in Vegas 

Cue the spotlight and fanfare. The 42nd Cleveland Browns starting quarterback since 1999, rookie Shedeur Sanders, will be under center in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The number of starting quarterbacks since the Browns returned to Cleveland in 1999 is as well-known as it is embarrassing. It really points to a deep level of dysfunction at a high level. But are 42 QBs in 26 years really that many? Let’s look.

In contrast to the Browns’ stable of quarterbacks, the three other AFC North teams have started a combined total of just 51 quarterbacks during the same period.

• The Cincinnati Bengals have had 15 starting QBs since 1999

• The Baltimore Ravens have used 25 starting quarterbacks since 1999

• The Pittsburgh Steelers have fielded 11 starting quarterbacks since 1999

Yes, that is definitely a lot of quarterbacks.

The son of NFL Hall of Famer. Deion Sanders rode the bench in Cleveland after his selection as the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Even from the sidelines, the young quarterback is polarizing for several reasons.

• Sanders had a very uneven debut against the Ravens. Entering the game early in the third, he did not look like a player who was prepped and ready to go. Going 4-17 for 47 yards and an interception isn’t an inspiring stat line.

• He has a strong arm and can make some impressive throws that are beyond Dillon Gabriel’s scope. Yet, he holds on to the ball longer than necessary, making him an easier target for sacks. In that respect, the Ravens’ defense overwhelmed, sacking Sanders three times.

• Whether it is fair or not, Shedeur Sanders carries the positives and negatives of his famous father. While Deion Sanders had exceptional skill and talent, many around the league remember him for his brash ‘neon Deion’ persona. Concerns over Shedeur being a chip off the old block are off-putting to teams and fans.

• The young quarterback alienates some because of his apparent lack of maturity. There is no room for petulance when a rookie is trying to make his way in the league. Teams admitted to dropping Shedeur from their draft boards because he did not take his pre-draft interviews seriously. In early October, maturity came into question again when Shedeur mimed responses to journalists, making himself look childish.

• Most Browns fans see no middle ground when it comes to the 23-year-old. Many of those in attendance at Huntington Bank Field on November 16th held signs of support or wore number 12 jerseys. Others hoped Gabriel would come into his own against the team’s AFC North rival. Ultimately, both camps saw their preferred rookie QB play after a concussion sent Gabriel to the blue tent and Sanders under center.

Roll the Dice in Las Vegas

Sanders gets his first official NFL start on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders– a team with an identical 2-8 record. There is little on the line except pride and a spark of hope, should Sanders play competently.

The Browns’ defense was the key to the team’s near victory against the Ravens. If Pro Bowler defensive end Myler Garrett has another sacking spree, and the rest of the D play up to their potential, the team could leave Vegas with their third win of the season.

There is nothing pretty about this matchup of two former AFC juggernauts. Not much to do except wish Sanders well, keeping in mind that only in Cleveland does QB42 arrive with both a Hall of Fame pedigree and a fifth-round draft tag.