Shedeur Sanders shines in first Browns start with two touchdowns.
Rookie Shedeur Sanders Shines in Debut originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Shedeur Sanders Makes Start for Cleveland Browns
It was a night that lit up the NFL preseason. Shedeur Sanders, making the start for the Cleveland Browns on Friday night, impressed in his first game action since leaving Colorado. The rookie quarterback showed poise, accuracy and confidence, leading the Browns to a 14-7 halftime lead before they pulled away for a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The entire NFL world took notice. As preseason action rolls into the weekend, Sanders remains the talk of the league. ESPN even highlighted his performance Friday night, posting in all caps: "SHEDEUR SANDERS PUT ON A SHOW IN HIS PRESEASON DEBUT."
SHEDEUR SANDERS PUT ON A SHOW IN HIS PRESEASON DEBUT ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/yEhAL5YUxy
— ESPN (@espn) August 9, 2025
Shedeur Sanders Preseason Stats
Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked twice but also ran four times for 19 yards, including a key 10-yard scramble that extended a drive.
His first touchdown came early in the second quarter with a 7-yard strike to Kaden Davis. Just before halftime, Sanders connected with Davis again, this time from 12 yards out. Davis finished with three receptions for 23 yards and two TDs.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Depth Chart
Sanders was listed as the fourth quarterback on Cleveland’s depth chart entering the preseason opener. Only Sanders and Tyler Huntley played Friday, with Huntley completing six of eight passes and throwing a touchdown to Cade McDonald.
Kenny Pickett, second on the depth chart, sat out due to a hamstring injury. Rookie Dillon Gabriel, listed third, also missed the game.
Veteran Joe Flacco, 40, is expected to be the starter in Week 1. Flacco started six games for the Browns in their playoff run in 2023 and played in seven games (six starts) for the Indianapolis Colts last season.
When is Shedeur Sanders' Next Game?
Sanders and the Browns face their next challenge on Aug. 16 against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland’s final preseason game will be at home Aug. 23 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Cleveland Browns 2025 Regular Season Schedule
The Browns open the season with back-to-back games against AFC North rivals, at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns 2025 schedule (all times ET):
- Sept. 7 vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 14 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 21 vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 28 at Detroit, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 5 vs. Minnesota in London, 9:30 a.m.
- Oct. 12 at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 19 vs. Miami, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 26 at New England, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 9 at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 16 vs. Baltimore, 4:25 p.m.
- Nov. 23 at Las Vegas, 4:05 p.m.
- Nov. 30 vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 7 vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 14 at Chicago, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 21 vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 28 vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
- Jan. 3 or 4 at Cincinnati, TBD
Related: Shedeur Sanders Apologizes to Deion Sanders After Browns-Panthers
Related: Shedeur Sanders Sends Message to Deion Sanders After NFL Debut with Browns
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
