Shedeur Sanders made history on Sunday, becoming the first Cleveland Browns quarterback to win their rookie starter debut since 1995 when Eric Zeier did it. Zeier, coached by Bill Belichick, defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime.

The very next year, the Browns moved to Baltimore before receiving an expansion franchise a few years later.

Since then, however, every rookie starter has failed, including this year with Dillon Gabriel, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings abroad in Europe. 17-straight quarterbacks had tried, but they had all failed in the orange and brown of Cleveland, succumbing to the never-ending fate of any player who stands under center for the franchise. That changed today with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Sin City.

Before the game, though, Sanders, ready, stated that he wanted to change the Browns' franchise forever.

"We're cool, calm, and confident," he said. "… I'm who they been looking for."

Although not perfect on the day, throwing an interception in the first half, and still having a few scrambling issues that plagued him in college, he persevered. He showed why, for much of the 2024 NFL season, he was seen as a possible No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft out of college. His fearlessness, his crafty mobility, and most importantly of all, his big arm, were on display, making plays happen that fellow 2025 draftee, Gabriel, just can't with his arsenal.

The future for the Browns at quarterback is still in question. With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this coming April, whispers and rumors of taking the likes of Fernando Mendoza or another college standout will be persistent. Until someone truly establishes themselves as the franchise quarterback of the Browns, those murmurs will always be around the corner. Ask Baker Mayfield, who led Cleveland to the playoffs and was starring in commercials for the Browns, only to be gone not too long after.

But for next week at least, when the Browns line up against the San Francisco 49ers at home, there should be no confusion on who should start the game.

It's #12 for the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders, curse breaker.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Shedeur Sanders Ends 30-Year Curse as First Browns Rookie Winner

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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