In his first NFL appearance, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made an immediate impact, leading his team to a 30-10 preseason-opening win over the Carolina Panthers. Starting in place of injured teammates, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders opened the second quarter with a pinpoint 7-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Davis, capitalizing on a short field created by a muffed punt recovery.
Later in the first half, Sanders connected with Davis again, this time for a 12-yard score, drawing cheers from fans and a proud online reaction from his father.
Sanders Delivers Solid Debut, Balancing Poise With Self-Critique in Preseason Victory
Sanders stayed in the game until late in the third quarter, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 19 yards. Head coach Kevin Stefanski had aimed to give him about 50 snaps, and he was replaced with 2:12 left in the third quarter by Tyler Huntley, who had been signed just days earlier. Despite some uneven moments, Sanders showed poise and decision-making that impressed the coaching staff.
Shedeur Sanders (NFL)After the win, Sanders was measured in his self-assessment, stating he didn’t feel he played “up to par” but was satisfied with achieving the team’s main objective: victory. He noted that his strongest plays came after he grew more comfortable, crediting his success to his blockers, playcalling, and teammates’ execution. He emphasized his readiness to operate under pressure, saying he’s “comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Injuries Open Door for Sanders, But Future Role Remains Uncertain for Rookie
The Browns rested most of their starters, allowing Sanders to work with the second- and third-team players he has practiced with in camp. A run of injuries at quarterback, sidelining Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, plus Joe Flacco’s absence, gave Sanders his shot at starting. The Panthers countered with their starters for only a couple of drives, giving him both challenging and manageable defensive looks during the game.
Drafted in the fifth round after slipping from early projections as a top prospect, Sanders entered training camp as Cleveland’s fourth-string quarterback. Friday’s strong outing gave fans a glimpse of his potential, but Stefanski cautioned that the team remains in evaluation mode and won’t rush to alter the depth chart.
With joint practices against the Philadelphia Eagles approaching, the Browns expect Pickett and Gabriel to return, potentially shifting Sanders back to a developmental role, though now with a confidence-building debut under his belt.
