The Cleveland Browns have officially named Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback for the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, with head coach Kevin Stefanski ending speculation—for now—by choosing the rookie over fellow first-year player Dillon Gabriel.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws during NFL training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Star defensive end Myles Garrett didn’t hold back in his praise of Sanders, backing the decision and speaking on what the rookie has brought to the team so far.
“He’s funny, he’s optimistic, light-hearted — but he works hard. He takes it seriously, his craft, and he’s watching what the others are doing and doing it his own way, in which only he can,” Garrett told reporters.
Garrett also pointed to Sanders’ willingness to learn: “He’s definitely come to me a couple times to see what I’m thinking when I’m going through my rush or what the defense’s mentality is.”
Rather than highlight the competition, Garrett commended the entire quarterback room for its collaborative approach. He noted that Sanders and Gabriel “help each other and work together” instead of tearing each other down.
Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco
Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sanders earned the starting nod after a steady showing in camp, while Gabriel has been dealing with accuracy issues in recent practices. Though Sanders will lead the team in their first preseason game, veteran Joe Flacco is still expected to open the regular season as QB1.
“That’s what gets us all going”: Joe Flacco reacts to Shedeur Sanders getting the nod for starting QB
Joe Flacco didn’t suit up for the Cleveland Browns’ preseason opener, but he isn’t brushing off the competition. Reacting to Sanders’ opportunity, the Super Bowl champion offered full support.
“That’s why we play the game, right?” Flacco said. “You know, we play to play. That’s what gets us all going. … The end goal is to be the guy on the field playing football games. That’s why we all do it. That’s as simple as it gets.”
Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sanders, a former standout at Colorado and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, slipped to the fifth round of the NFL Draft despite being ranked by many analysts as the second-best QB in his class. Now, he’s turning that slide into motivation—and putting the league on notice.
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