Shedeur Sanders Erases Doubts in Browns Debut

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders impressed in his NFL debut after an offseason full of doubt.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a touchdown during the 1st half of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 8, 2025. David Jensen /Getty Images

Shedeur Sanders put all doubts to rest on Friday in an impressive NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns.

While it is preseason, the rookie quarterback and son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, looked like one of the top quarterback prospects after all. That’s months after the younger Sanders free-falled through the draft to the fifth round when the Browns claimed him.

On Friday, Sanders led the Browns to a 30–10 victory as he went 14–23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns versus no interceptions in 10 offensive drives played. Sanders also rushed for 19 yards on four carries, and he only took two sacks for six yards lost overall.

Suddenly, Sanders could stand out in a crowded quarterback room of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Tyler Huntley. Gabriel notably went ahead of Sanders in the draft during the third round.

“I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable, so that’s what it is,” Sanders told reporters afterward. “I got pockets of finding my rhythm and I got to get into that quicker, regardless of anything. But overall, I felt like me out there, and I couldn’t do it, of course, without the time. I couldn’t do it without the playcalling.”

Sanders came into the game as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. With no first-team reps, speculation already began stewing about how long he would last in Cleveland, and while his performance could change that, he sees the need for more progress.

“Did I play up to par? No, I don’t feel like I did,” Sanders said. “But overall, the main goal was to win, and that’s honestly what we did.”

Huntley was the only other Browns quarterback to take snaps, amid 6–8 passing for 51 yards and a touchdown. His score came in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand. Sanders got things going in the second quarter with two touchdown passes to Kaden Davis for a 14–7 lead.

“Pleased with Shedeur, pleased with the offense,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters afterward. “Again, not perfect. Plenty that we can work on. But I thought the guys did a really nice job of Shedeur operating, the guys making plays. So, again, a ton to teach on.”

Stefanski didn’t elaborate on how Sanders’ performance will impact his depth chart standing. The Browns have two more preseason games left, and three quarterbacks are dealing with injuries.

“We’re really just focused on developing our players. We’re in evaluation mode,” Stefanski said. “I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into a quarterback competition.”

Gabriel and Pickett could return to action in time for next week’s joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Stefanski. Both Gabriel and Pickett have been dealing with hamstring injuries. Either way, Sanders isn’t concerned about the competition.

“I honestly don’t know, and I don’t really care,” Sanders told News 5 Cleveland during the fourth quarter. “Whenever it’s my turn, I just got to take advantage of it. I feel like today I did some good, some bad. And I know moving forward, I won’t make the same mistakes twice.”

“That’s not in my control and regardless of whatever the situation is, that’s not up to me, and it is what it is. I just got to accept whatever everything comes with,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deion Sanders shared his excitement over his son’s performance via social media. The elder Sanders is currently getting ready for his third season as the University of Colorado head football coach.

“Yes Lawd! Yes!” the elder Sanders exclaimed on X.com during the game.

Known as “Coach Prime,” Deion Sanders played in the NFL from 1989 to 2005.

Shedeur Sanders had a message for him afterward via the NFL Network broadcast.

“Sorry pops, I didn’t do what I was supposed to do fully,” Sanders said. “But we’ll live to see another opportunity.”