Browns Rookie Shedeur Sanders Shines with Two Touchdown Passes in NFL Preseason Debut

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In his NFL preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders demonstrated remarkable poise and skill, throwing two first-half touchdown passes and leading his team to a convincing 30-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Friday night.

Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards, including an impressive 7-yard touchdown strike to Kaden Davis between two defenders. He capped off the first half with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Davis over the middle, which boosted the Browns to a 14-7 lead. Sanders finished the night with 19 rushing yards on four carries and helped orchestrate three touchdown drives before exiting late in the third quarter.[1][2][4]

The young quarterback’s performance did not go unnoticed by his father and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who is also the head coach at Colorado. Deion Sanders took to social media during the game to express his pride and enthusiasm, posting encouragements such as “Yes Lawd! Yes @ShedeurSanders” and “God is so good!” after the touchdowns.[1][2]

Despite some minor missteps like a near interception and a scramble that resulted in yards lost, Shedeur showed great composure, particularly when throwing on the run. Notably, he completed a 30-yard pass to Luke Floriea while rolling right under pressure, showcasing his arm strength and accuracy. His footwork and ability to perform under pressure have impressed many, including Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been closely monitoring Sanders’ rapid adaptation to the professional level.[3]

As a highly rated draft prospect sidelined until the fifth round, Sanders entered the game as the fourth quarterback on the Browns’ depth chart but was pressed into a starting role due to injuries. His immediate impact has sparked excitement among Browns fans and analysts alike, with some advocating for him to secure the starting quarterback position during the 2025 season. Veteran quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with rookie Dillon Gabriel, were not active for the game due to injuries, further opening opportunities for Sanders.[2]

Sanders remains grounded despite the positive attention. Reflecting on his debut and the challenges ahead, he said, “When I get out there, it’s just doing what I gotta do. Everything else is not in my hands, so I don’t worry about it.” He also noted he could have played better, emphasizing his commitment to continuous improvement.[1][4]

Shedeur Sanders arrives with a strong collegiate background, having played 50 college games with impressive statistics of 1,267 completions on 1,808 attempts, totaling 14,353 yards with 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He also scored 17 rushing touchdowns, exhibiting dual-threat capabilities that translate well into the NFL.[1]

The Browns will continue to evaluate Sanders through the preseason, but his debut performance has undoubtedly placed him in the conversation as a serious contender for the Browns’ quarterback spot going forward. With his natural talent and the strong support from his iconic football family, Shedeur Sanders’ future in the NFL looks promising.

Scoring Summary: