In one of the most anticipated rookie preseason debuts in recent NFL memory, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders wasted no time making his presence felt. On Friday night in Carolina, the rookie stepped in as an unexpected starter and led the Browns to a 30–10 win over the Carolina Panthers in their preseason opener. Sanders, the fifth round pick and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 19 rushing yards in nearly three full quarters of action.
Sanders began training camp as the Browns’ fourth quarterback on the depth chart, behind veteran Joe Flacco, former first round pick Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco, the presumed Week 1 starter, was given the night off, while Pickett and Gabriel were sidelined with hamstring injuries. The unexpected opportunity thrust Sanders into the starting role for his first NFL action, and he made the most of it.
Despite working with a lineup comprised largely of second and third string players, Sanders led three touchdown drives against a Panthers defense that opened the game with several starters before rotating in backups. He showed strong decision making, pocket presence, and an ability to extend plays with his legs. His first score came early in the second quarter when he threaded a perfectly placed 7 yard pass to wide receiver Kaden Davis in the back corner of the end zone. The drive came on the heels of a special teams miscue by Carolina, as Cleveland recovered a muffed punt deep in Panthers territory and converted the short field into points.
Sanders connected with Davis again later in the first half, capping another methodical drive that showcased his ability to manage the offense and keep the chains moving. He finished the night having run 45 total plays, showing command and composure rarely seen from a rookie making his debut, especially one thrust into action with little preparation alongside unfamiliar personnel.
The rookie’s debut carries extra intrigue given his draft story. Once projected as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders slid to the fifth round before being selected 144th overall by Cleveland. He was the second quarterback the Browns picked in April, with Gabriel going two rounds earlier. Now, after an impressive showing in his first NFL appearance, Sanders has sparked conversation about his place in the Browns’ long term quarterback plans.
For now, Sanders remains officially listed as QB4, but with another strong preseason outing, his climb up the depth chart could accelerate. And while it is only one preseason game, the Browns and their fans saw a glimpse of why Sanders’ name was once called among the elite in draft discussions. If Friday night was any indication, the rookie’s NFL introduction might be the start of a much bigger story in Cleveland.
