The preseason debut of Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, earned a passing grade. While he appeared somewhat out of sync with his receivers, the young quarterback’s performance was generally well-received by critics.
After a tentative start marked by obvious nerves, Shedeur showed the composure needed to overcome that initial fear of starting an NFL game, gradually improving as the minutes went by and making it clear he has quality.
Following his first professional appearance, even if only in preseason, his numbers with the Cleveland Browns spoke of a solid performance. He finished with a passer rating of 106.8, completing 14 of 36 attempts for 138 yards and two touchdowns, more than enough to lead the team to a win over the Carolina Panthers.
Myles Garrett’s comments on Shedeur
Myles Garrett, the Browns’ defensive star, did not play in the game, but that did not stop him from closely following the young quarterback’s performance.
I think it was a great first half. It wasn’t perfect, the team settled in, getting comfortable in the pocket, but more than my evaluation, it’s Kevin’s that matter more than anything.
In the second half of the Browns-Panthers clash, Cleveland easily closed out the victory.
Shedeur Sanders’ first win
Expectations were sky-high for the rookie coming out of the Colorado Buffaloes, not least because of the attention surrounding him after this April’s draft. At that time, he was projected to be a top-five pick, but he unexpectedly slid until the fifth round, where the Browns selected him at No. 144 overall.
That drop fueled rumors about his future. Some claimed he would not make the roster and might even head to Canada, as he was not among head coach Kevin Stefanski’s favorites.
In the end, he silenced doubters with a performance that, while not spectacular, exceeded the predictions of those expecting him to fail.
The rookie demonstrated poise in leading the Browns’ offense, showing patience in finding his receivers-most of the time-and proving his mobility will be an asset when plays break down.
Even with a comfortable lead, the offense under his command did not ease up, maintaining consistency throughout. It’s worth noting that he is still competing for a spot on the final roster.
The Browns’ upcoming games
Next up for Cleveland in preseason are the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, who will visit their home field. While the starting quarterback has not yet been announced, Sanders’ performance has certainly sparked internal discussion.
The pressure on Stefanski to define his three quarterbacks for the regular season-and decide who will be the odd man out will only grow.
The Browns will close the preseason against the Los Angeles Rams on the road on August 23. That game should provide the clearest picture of the 2025 roster and whether Shedeur has earned his place on it.
Read the full article here
