Sportsnaut
There was no bigger story in the first week of NFL preseason than Shedeur Sanders getting an unexpected start for the Cleveland Browns, and also playing a large portion of the game. The son of a football icon, Deion Sanders, was thrust into a major role on Friday night due to injuries to the Browns’ crowded QB room and a desire to keep the bubble wrap on 40-year-old signal caller Joe Flacco for another week.
It was a tough position for the rookie to be pushed into. Even for one as confident (cocky?) as him. So how did the former Colorado Buffaloes star do in his first serious NFL action? Well, much better than expected. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the great of Shedeur Sanders’ NFL preseason debut.
Dear NFL Owners and GM's: This is your brain on racism!
Shedeur Sanders is a franchise QB who fell to the 5th round because he likes jewelry. Idiots! pic.twitter.com/60Ef59iiih
— Hovah76 (@hovah76) August 9, 2025
Understandably, it took Sanders some time to settle into his debut. He didn’t even know he was going to get the start until a few days ago, or that he would be playing close to 50 snaps. However, after getting past those rookie jitters, the same quality that made him a star in college showed at the next level, and that is his accuracy.
It was there in the first quarter, but really became more obvious in the second, where he posted a pair of very nice-looking touchdown passes. The first was a 7-yarder to wide receiver Kaden Davis on the first play of the second quarter. It was a well-thrown ball as he threaded the needle between defenders. He then connected with Davis later in the quarter for a 12-yard TD pass.
Yes Lawd! Yes! @ShedeurSanders
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) August 8, 2025
“I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable, so that’s what it is,” Sanders said after the game [via ESPN]. “I got pockets of finding my rhythm, and I’ve got to get into that quicker, regardless of anything. But overall, I felt like me out there, and I couldn’t do it, of course, without the time. I couldn’t do it without the playcalling. I couldn’t do without anything.”
After taking his leave in the third, Sanders finished with an impressive 106.8 passer rating and even chipped in 19 yards on the ground. He set the Browns up perfectly for what would be an easy 30-10 against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night.
Shedeur Sanders with the greatest sack of all time pic.twitter.com/fRWfNA7L9Z
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 9, 2025
One particular moment that went viral on social media was in the second when Sanders ran for around 30 yards to avoid the rush, only to take a sack anyway. The play showcased that he has solid athleticism and escapability. Something some scouts suggested...
