Shedeur Sanders Shines Bright in Browns Preseason Debut with Two Touchdowns and Three Scoring Drives
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Cleveland Browns showcased rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in a commanding preseason debut Friday night, where he led three scoring drives and threw two touchdown passes to lift the Browns to a 30-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Sanders, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft following a surprising slide due to character concerns, dispelled doubts with a calm, efficient performance. Playing nearly three full quarters, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while avoiding turnovers and taking just two sacks. Sanders also added 19 rushing yards on four carries, demonstrating his mobility and pocket awareness.
Performance Defies Preseason Expectations
Initially buried deep on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, Sanders was thrust into the starting role due to injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. Rather than succumb to pressure, Sanders showed remarkable poise and command, engineering three touchdown drives which featured quick decision-making and precise throws, including two touchdown passes to receiver Kaden Davis in the first half.
Sanders’ ability to overcome a rocky start to his NFL career and draft-day doubts made his performance especially noteworthy. Prior to the draft, he was widely considered a potential top pick but fell to the 144th overall selection amid concerns about his attitude and professionalism. His preseason debut offered early vindication to Sanders and his supporters.
Support from Sports Icons
Among the first to celebrate Sanders’ breakout was his father, Hall of Famer and coach Deion Sanders, who took to social media to express pride and enthusiasm after each touchdown. The spotlight extended beyond football, as NBA superstar LeBron James posted messages of encouragement on X (formerly Twitter), praising Sanders’ performance and urging fans to give the rookie credit despite it being preseason.
“That young (man) looking good out there,” James wrote. “Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.”
He later added, “And I don’t wanna hear that ‘It’s only preseason’ bs. Cause if he was out there not going in y’all would be on his (butt) about it! So give credit and grace lames.”
Rookie Focused on the Process
Despite the praise and impressive showing, Sanders remained grounded when addressing questions about his standing on the team. “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. I just don’t think that deep into everything because it’s nothing you’re gonna be able to control,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With first-string quarterbacks sidelined, Sanders seized the opportunity to demonstrate his skill set and potential value to the Browns’ offense. His confident preseason display places him in a promising position as the team evaluates its quarterback depth chart moving into the regular season. For Browns fans and the NFL community, Sanders’ debut added a fresh storyline of resilience and potential in this year’s crop of rookie quarterbacks.
The Browns will look to build on this momentum as they continue preseason play. Meanwhile, Sanders aims to maintain his focus on improving and earning trust from coaches and teammates.