Aug 9, 2025 3:53 PM EDT
After months of on-screen debates and discussion about Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the former Colorado quarterback finally got his first opportunity to perform against pro competition in a real-game situation when the Cleveland Browns opened their preseason slate Friday night against the Carolina Panthers.
The results were impressive, as Sanders completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns, with no interceptions and 19 yards rushing.
Those numbers might come as a surprise for those who have been expecting (and rooting for) Sanders to flop at the game’s highest level, but everything that made his NFL debut a successful one was in plain sight back in Boulder.
At Colorado, Sanders wasn’t known for having the biggest arm, or for his ability to fly by defenders with elite straight-line speed. Instead, he won with intelligence, accuracy and precision, making sound decisions with the football, and letting smooth, polished mechanics lead to consistent success down the field. That success came despite the lack of a consistently effective offensive line, and the absence of a reliable running game to take pressure off the passing attack.
All of those same traits were on full display Friday night against the Panthers, as Sanders got the start and played into the third quarter, making the most of his opportunity with multiple Browns quarterbacks nursing injuries.
Sanders’ first touchdown pass of the night featured just the right amount of touch and velocity, a perfectly placed throw in a tight window to beat multiple defenders for the score:
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After that, Sanders wasn’t fazed by being backed up into his own end zone, making sure to reset his base with quick, clean footwork, and deliver this strike in the face of oncoming pressure:
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Oh, you want the ability to move outside the pocket and extend plays, keeping eyes downfield and delivering a perfect strike for a huge gain?
Shedeur’s got you covered:
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On his second touchdown pass, Sanders once again showed the ability to get his feet reset after shifting in the pocket to avoid the rush, allowing him to throw another dart into the end zone:
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Even taking all that into account, Sanders himself wasn’t satisfied.
After the game, Sanders spoke at length with Cameron Wolfe from NFL Network, barely giving his debut performance a passing grade, making it clear that he’s not willing to settle for even the impressive outing we saw Friday night:
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Heading into the draft, there may have been a case to make that Sanders wasn’t worthy of a first-round pick, due to his lack of elite physical traits or measureables. But falling all the way to the fifth round never made any sense based on what he put on tape at the college level. Any QB-needy team that passed on Sanders multiple times, especially after the first round, willingly missed out on the opportunity to steal a potential franchise passer who wins with a similar skill set to that of Geno Smith or Jared Goff.
But hey, “distractions” or whatever.
The factual reality of Sanders’ valuable skill set was proven true Friday night, and though it’s just one preseason game, Sanders looked the part of a quality NFL starter in every way, from the way he consistently led his team down the field and into the end zone, to his humble acknowledgement that there will always be room for improvement.
None of what we saw from Sanders in that game should come as a surprise, and regardless of where he was drafted, it won’t be shocking if he continues to prove that he’s the most talented quarterback on the Browns’ roster, and quickly becomes a successful NFL starter.
About the Author
Luke Easterling
NFL Draft analyst