49ers’ Saleh Praises Browns Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders Ahead of Sunday Matchup

The San Francisco 49ers enter Week 14 feeling energized after a suffocating defensive performance against the Carolina Panthers.

They held Carolina to just nine points and snatched two interceptions, a showing that seemed to reignite a unit that had been searching for rhythm.

Momentum matters in December, and the 49ers will try to carry that surge into Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

On paper, Cleveland’s offense hasn’t been much of a threat this season outside of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who has been the lone consistent spark.

But this week presents a new wrinkle: the Browns are turning to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

With the switch from Dillon Gabriel to Sanders, Cleveland’s offense could take on a different identity, one that the 49ers have only limited film to study.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh acknowledged that challenge on Wednesday. Asked what he has seen so far from Sanders, Saleh didn’t hesitate to highlight the rookie’s upside.

“He’s a good, young quarterback. He's mobile, he's got a big arm, tremendous confidence,” Saleh said. “He made a couple of really, really good throws in the game against Vegas, extending plays, getting out of the pocket, delivering the ball where it needed to be delivered. Obviously, he showed good command of the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. You anticipate someone like him who's got that confidence, who has that skill set, he's just going to get better and better every week.”

Sanders’ starting debut against Las Vegas wasn’t spectacular—he completed 11-of-20 attempts for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception—but it was enough to show flashes of why Cleveland is intrigued.

For San Francisco, though, it’s the kind of stat line that should offer encouragement.

A rookie still finding his footing is exactly the type of matchup a rising defense hopes to exploit.

Sanders has played only six regular-season quarters, which means the 49ers are preparing for traits, not tendencies.

That could push Saleh to dial up more pressure, blitz packages, and disguised looks—tactics that often fluster inexperienced quarterbacks.

San Francisco’s pass rush has been inconsistent this season, making off-script plays Sanders’ best chance to do damage.

If the 49ers can control the pocket and force Sanders to process faster than he’s comfortable with, they should have little trouble keeping the Browns in check.

As they head into Cleveland, the 49ers sit at 8-4 and are riding a two-game winning streak.