Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, made a memorable NFL debut on Friday night, taking the field as the starter in their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. Expected to play roughly 50 snaps, Sanders stepped in amid injuries to other quarterbacks and delivered a performance that grabbed attention across the league.
In just under three quarters of game action, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and threw two touchdown passes—both in the first half. His first score came on a precision 7-yard throw to Kaden Davis in the red zone, followed by a 12-yard strike to Davis that showcased both timing and poise. He also showed mobility, rushing the ball for nearly 20 yards.
Though not flawless—he dealt with a few miscommunications with receivers and had a turnover on downs—Sanders demonstrated composure when it counted. Behind a muffed punt recovery, he capitalized on the opportunity and led a scoring drive. Against a defense that rotated in backups, his performance was nevertheless far from ordinary.
The excitement surrounding Sanders’ debut was palpable. Fans and media buzzed about the game’s popularity, with many calling it one of the most-watched preseason matchups ever—an unusual level of hype for an exhibition opener. And as the son of Hall of Fame cornerback-turned-coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, expectations were sky-high—but Friday night, Sanders looked ready.
