Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Had 3 Words After NFL Preseason Debut

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Had 3 Words After NFL Preseason Debut originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Despite being listed as the fourth-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders took full advantage of his opportunity to start in the team's first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

With hamstring injuries sidelining Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, and the team resting 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco, the Browns turned to the fifth-round pick out of Colorado, and son of Deion Sanders.

Sanders, 23, has notoriously not been getting reps with the Browns' first team, yet was dissecting the Panthers' defense. He finished the game 14-of-23 (60%) for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for another 19 yards in the team's 30-10 win.

Shedeur Sanders Sends Three-Word Message After Strong NFL Preseason Debut

Despite many discussing whether or not his lack of reps with the starters was setting him up for failure, Sanders seemed to be playing just like he did during his final season at Colorado, which saw him named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He also took to X with a familiar message that he frequently posts.

"Thank you GOD," wrote Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders Used Lack of Reps as Motivation

"I mean God's patient with us as humans," Sanders said. "We mess up at times, but I don't feel like he throws us away as individuals. So it's different things and different life lessons you know you got to go through. And I haven't went through this situation you know that I'm in, ever. It's really just a test, you know, I feel like, from God."

Sanders also said he was "thankful" that the Browns gave him the opportunity to play, and allowed him to use his platform to inspire others.

Before Cleveland selected him with the No. 144 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he was expected to go in the top 10, but murmurs of a dreadful pre-draft process appeared to lead to his slide. Regardless, Sanders appears to still possess the talent level that most projected he would before the draft.

Will Shedeur Sanders Start the Browns' Second Preseason Game?

Although Sanders was the clear star of the night, putting his accuracy, decision-making and arm strength on display, it is unclear if he will get the start next Saturday. The Browns are set to take on the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles after practicing with them throughout the week.

.@ShedeurSanders showed out tonight ⌚️

CLEvsCAR on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/XLSpqql9xK

— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2025

However, head coach Kevin Stefanski did confirm that Sanders will continue to receive plenty of reps.

"The situations were invaluable for Shedeur," Stefanski said. "For all of our offense. We got a third-and-one where he got a quarterback sneak. I mean, there's just a lot of football and that's, by design, with him getting a ton of reps in this game, and he'll get a ton of reps next week."

Related: Shedeur Sanders first NFL touchdown

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.