Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had an explicit exchange with star Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on Sunday after outlasting a tough Las Vegas defense in Cleveland’s 24-10 road win.
“Why’re you trying to hit the s–t out of me, though?” a smiling Sanders asked Crosby as they shook hands on the field at Allegiant Stadium.
“I was. That’s what the f–k I do,” Crosby replied while grinning.
Warning: Explicit language
Crosby tallied three of the Raiders’ five quarterback hits and led Las Vegas with five tackles for a loss.
Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce had the only sack on Sanders, a 3-yard tackle midway through the first quarter.
“Keep doing your thing,” Crosby said. “Keep going, brother. Rooting for you.”
Sanders — who went 11-for-20 for 209 yards and a touchdown in his first regular-season start — and Crosby have been friends for years.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks to make a pass attempt as Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) tackles him during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images“We definitely game plan for him,” Sanders said in his postgame press conference. “He is a great player. He let his presence be known.”
In the days leading up to the game, Crosby was asked about facing the Colorado product in his first NFL start.
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“I’ve known Shedeur for a very long time, we got a great relationship,” Crosby told reporters at his locker on Thursday. “Every week is a different journey and different battle.
“… We got to get after him and we plan on doing that.”
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) embrace after the game at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectSanders, a fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, helped the Browns end a three-game skid.
It came after his disastrous first NFL appearance last week, when he completed 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards and an interception in a 23-16 loss to the Ravens.
Sanders entered the game after rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that Sanders will be the team’s starting quarterback ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the 49ers.
This news came as Gabriel was cleared from the concussion protocol.
