Shedeur Sanders debut grades: Browns rookie QB impresses with two TDs in first preseason game vs. Panthers

Teddy Ricketson

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Shedeur Sanders debut grades: Browns rookie QB impresses with two TDs in first preseason game vs. Panthers image

One of the biggest stories in football over the past year has been Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado QB finished up a decorated college career in December, then had his jersey retired before seeing his draft stock plummet until he was selected by the Browns in the fifth round.

Sanders was the second quarterback selected by Cleveland, as the franchise also took Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in the third round. The rookies joined a quarterback room occupied by veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco.

With all eyes on this four-man QB competition, the first preseason game has finally come. However, Gabriel (hamstring) and Pickett (hamstring) are dealing with injuries. With Flacco having little to prove given his experience, the Browns are giving Sanders the start (and majority of playing time) in their preseason opener vs. Panthers.

This is a prime opportunity for Sanders to improve his standing in the depth chart and possibly even vie for the starting spot for Cleveland's Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. Before getting there, though, Sanders needed to impress against Carolina. 

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Here's our grade for Sanders' preseason debut. 

Grading Shedeur Sanders rookie debut 

Grade: B+

Sanders greatly improved over the course of the first half. If you graded him on the first 14 minutes he played, it would probably be a C- or a D. He had one solid rush play, but he was missing open wide receivers, often being a tick late with his timing on slants and crosses. When the defense applied pressure, his default was to scramble backwards 20-30 yards. He got out of it both times he did it, but it just isn't a move you always see from an NFL quarterback.

He turned it on in the second quarter, though. Sanders had two touchdown passes, both to Kaden Davis. He threaded the needle in the end zone on a perfect toss on the first TD, and the other capped off a long drive where he was in complete control. Sure, the half was largely against the Panthers' backups, but it was noticeable how Sanders settled down and got into a groove, showing off the accuracy we got to know him for at Colorado. 

Sanders started the second half slowly, including taking a bad sack on a key third-down play, but he rebounded to lead the Browns to a touchdown on his final drive of the night. 

Sanders was asked about his performance after the game, and he gave himself a C+. This isn't surprising because he thinks he can play better, but if you're a Browns fan, there probably isn't anything else you wanted to see from him in the game. 

MORE NFL: Browns QB Depth chart: Where Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco, others rank when healthy

Shedeur Sanders debut stats 

  • Completions: 14
  • Attempts: 23
  • Passing Yards: 138
  • Touchdowns: 2
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Carries: 4
  • Rushing Yards: 19

Sanders' first drive ended in a three-and-out. The Browns ran it on first down, and then he had an incomplete pass on a slant. Sanders completed his first pass for four yards just shy of a first down, and they elected to punt. Sanders played most of his game against the backups, which is expected in the preseason. 

Sanders' first NFL touchdown came at the start of the second quarter. He rolled to his left off of play-action before threading the needle into the end zone to find Kaden Davis. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Sanders will "get a ton of reps next week." He declined to comment if his performance against Carolina moved him up the depth chart. 

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Shedeur Sanders debut highlights

Sanders tried to escape pressure, but he ended up nearly losing a lot of yardage before throwing an incomplete pass.

Sanders showed off the legs early to pick up a first down. 

Sanders' first touchdown pass of his career was a good one, threading the needle in the endzone. 

Shedeur had an absolute dot for a first down.

Sanders had a favorite target in the end zone. His second touchdown of the night went again to Kaden Davis. 

A highlight reel catch helped him out, but still a solid throw off the scramble from Sanders here.

MORE NFL: Who won the Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones QB battle in the Colts first preseason game?

Teddy Ricketson

Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.