Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl, replacing Drake Maye, who is heading to the Super Bowl. Sanders becomes the first fifth-round rookie quarterback to make the Pro Bowl since Puka Nacua, highlighting a remarkable rise for the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.
Sanders’ 2025 season began slowly, serving as the inactive emergency third quarterback for the first half. He made his first career start in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, leading the Browns to a 24-10 victory and completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This made him the first Browns quarterback to win his debut start since 1995. Over eight games as a starter, Sanders finished 3-4 with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, completing 56.6% of his passes.
Shedeur Sanders (NFL)Shedeur Sanders Overcame Adversity To Earn Pro Bowl Spot Despite On-Field Struggles
Despite his Pro Bowl selection, Sanders faced challenges on the field. He registered the second-worst completion percentage since Week 11 and threw an NFL-high 10 interceptions over the last eight weeks. Defensively, he was under heavy pressure, facing an NFL-high 51% of dropbacks, though opposing teams blitzed him at one of the league’s lowest rates, 24%.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders fell despite winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year at Colorado. He was Cleveland’s second quarterback selected after Dillon Gabriel in the third round. With Deshaun Watson expected to return in 2026 and the team still hiring a new head coach, questions remain about Sanders’ long-term role.
Nonetheless, Sanders’ Pro Bowl nod cements his place among the elite rookies in NFL history and showcases the potential of late-round picks to make a significant impact.
