Shedeur Sanders lights it up in his debut, but the Browns still aren’t sold

Shedeur Sanders didn’t need more than one half of football to show he’s got game. In his preseason debut with the Cleveland Browns, the young quarterback completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also led his team to a dominant 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Still, Shedeur’ performance hasn’t moved the needle for the coaching staff, who continue to list him as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart.

Shedeur Sanders received a B+ grade from NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter, which surprised many fans who were expecting an A+ after watching him play. Outlet Marca highlighted that Shedeur showed mobility and accuracy on short throws. He also demonstrated the ability to lead offensive drives, though he made some mistakes—like holding onto the ball too long and risking an interception.

Debate heats up in Cleveland

Beyond the stats, what’s really fueling the debate in Cleveland is the apparent lack of recognition from the coaching staff. Shedeur Sanders has kept shining in practice. He’s been slicing through defenses and building hype among fans. In fact, many already see Shedeur as a legitimate contender for the starting job. Still, some wonder if personal factors are behind his continued relegation.

SHEDEUR SANDERS PUT ON A SHOW IN HIS PRESEASON DEBUT ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/yEhAL5YUxy

— ESPN (@espn) August 9, 2025

The situation puts the Browns in a tough spot. On one hand, they have an established quarterback hierarchy. On the other, they’ve got a rookie in Shedeur Sanders who’s shown he has the tools to compete right now. Will they bet on Shedeur Sanders’ emerging talent or stick to the conservative plan?

More than just a prospect

Shedeur Sanders, for his part, keeps doing his thing. He’s focused on working hard, improving, and proving he’s more than just a promising name. His red zone connection with Kaden Davis was sharp. Plus, Shedeur’ ability to escape pressure with smart movement makes him a modern-style quarterback. If he keeps this up, it’ll be hard to keep him on the sidelines for long.

While the Browns figure out their next move, Shedeur Sanders keeps stacking reasons to be taken seriously. If he continues to show this level of talent, the spotlight might finally find its way to the son of Deion Sanders—on the field, where he’s clearly ready to shine.

 

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