STWF|CLEVELAND|Nov. 9, 2025  — It wasn’t the debut many Browns fans had hoped for, but rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders still managed to win hearts on Sunday — not with a touchdown pass or a game-winning drive, but with a simple act of sportsmanship that spoke volumes about his leadership.

In the aftermath of the Cleveland Browns’ humbling 27–20 loss to the New York Jets, Sanders — who remains yet to play a snap in the NFL — was spotted dapping up fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback trudged off the field following a three-and-out drive. The gesture, though small, didn’t go unnoticed.

Fans praised Sanders online for his maturity and team-first attitude, even as calls mount for him to replace Gabriel under center.

“He’s a true teammate,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He could’ve sulked or made it about himself, but he lifted his QB up instead. That’s leadership.”

Browns Collapse After Promising Start

The Browns had actually opened the afternoon looking sharp, with Gabriel orchestrating an efficient opening drive capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku. But the momentum evaporated almost instantly.

Cleveland’s special teams surrendered not one, but two return touchdowns in back-to-back plays — a nightmarish sequence that completely flipped the game.

Kene Nwangwu, one of the league’s most dangerous returners, sprinted 99 yards on the ensuing kickoff to tie the score at 7–7, his fifth career return touchdown — three more than any other player since 2021. Moments later, a stalled Browns drive was followed by another special teams meltdown as Isaiah Williams ran back a 74-yard punt for a score, giving the Jets a 14–7 advantage despite having gained just two yards of offense.

Gabriel responded by finding Jerry Jeudy for another touchdown, but a string of errant throws — including several overthrows and a near-interception — drew the ire of the Dawg Pound. By halftime, Cleveland’s offense looked directionless once again.

Jets Steal One Behind Breece Hall and a Fortunate Bounce

If there was any silver lining for Cleveland, it was the fact that Jets quarterback Justin Fields was even worse in the opening half, completing just 3-of-6 passes for five yards with an interception and a passer rating of 16.7.

But the Browns couldn’t capitalize. In the second half, Fields connected with Breece Hall on a 42-yard screen pass touchdown — one of Hall’s few bright moments since narrowly avoiding a trade to Kansas City at the deadline. That play gave New York a 24–20 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Despite facing a depleted Jets roster — one that traded away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner just days earlier — the Browns stumbled to another frustrating loss, slipping to 2–7 and into third place in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The defining image of the day came late in the fourth quarter: Cleveland’s defense, the only consistent unit this season, jumped offsides on fourth down, gifting the Jets a fresh set of downs and killing any chance at a comeback.

“Oh my God,” head coach Kevin Stefanski was seen shouting as he tore off his headset in disbelief.

Stefanski Stays the Course — For Now

Despite another uneven performance from Gabriel — who finished 17-of-31 for 189 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception — Stefanski confirmed after the game that the rookie would remain the starter for Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens.

“We’re going to stick with Dillon,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, with young players, you’re always trying to get one game better. We have to play better as an offense, and we have to coach better. All of the above.”

While the coach stopped short of ruling out future changes, the message was clear: Gabriel gets at least one more chance to prove himself before the Browns turn to Sanders, the highly-touted fifth-round pick out of Colorado.

Veteran guard Joel Bitonio echoed Stefanski’s patience, reminding fans that even elite quarterbacks endure growing pains.

“Some of the all-time greats — if you look at their interceptions, sacks, things like that — it takes a long time to see enough defenses and enough plays in this league,” Bitonio said. “We’ve got to let these guys develop.”

A Leader Before He Plays a Snap

For Sanders, his time may yet come — but for now, he’s earning praise the hard way: through quiet leadership. The 22-year-old has drawn strong reviews in practice for his work ethic and preparation, and Sunday’s sideline moment only reinforced his reputation as a team-first professional.

While the Browns may be spiraling toward another lost season, they appear to have found a player with the temperament to weather the storm.

As one analyst put it during Monday’s coverage:

“Shedeur Sanders might not have thrown a pass yet, but he’s already showing why everyone believes he’s the future of the Cleveland Browns.”