Shedeur Sanders, the highly touted rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has experienced a challenging start to his NFL preseason campaign, revealing both promise and growing pains as he adjusts to the professional level. After an impressive college career at Colorado, where he completed a class-best 74% of his passes and avoided interceptions at an elite 1.43% rate over 24 starts, Sanders entered the Browns’ preseason as a developmental prospect, sitting fourth on the unofficial quarterback depth chart.
In his preseason debut, Sanders displayed poise and accuracy, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers. Notably, he excelled under pressure and was efficient in the red zone, fueling speculation that he could climb the Browns’ crowded quarterback ranks. However, his second outing against the Los Angeles Rams proved far more difficult. Sanders was sacked five times, losing 41 yards and nearly fumbling, while completing only three of six passes for 14 yards. The Rams’ relentless pass rush and Sanders’ tendency to hold the ball too long—an issue seen during his time at Colorado—limited his effectiveness and ultimately led to his absence during the Browns’ final drive, with veteran Tyler Huntley taking over instead.
The Browns’ quarterback situation remains fluid. Joe Flacco, the 40-year-old veteran, has been named the Week 1 starter. Kenny Pickett, despite limited preseason action, is expected to back up Flacco due to his NFL experience. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has shown considerable progress, particularly in orchestrating an 86-yard touchdown drive against the Rams, and now appears to be the primary rookie reserve. Sanders, meanwhile, is projected to open the regular season as the No. 4 quarterback, focusing on development while inactive on game days.
Despite the setbacks, Sanders’ collegiate resume cannot be overlooked. He is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history, finishing with 1,267 completions in 1,808 attempts over 50 games—a testament to his consistency and accuracy at Colorado. The Browns’ front office appears committed to patience, likely retaining four quarterbacks to nurture young talent like Sanders. While his preseason performance was a reality check, it’s clear the organization still sees long-term potential in him.
For bettors and analysts, Sanders’ situation is a reminder of the volatility of preseason projections. His initial hype, bolstered by statistical efficiency and composure, was tempered by real-time adversity against NFL-caliber defenses. Still, his developmental path with the Browns is worth monitoring as roster decisions solidify ahead of the regular season.
For more updates and insights, check out Shedeur Sanders on ESPN and follow the Browns’ official Twitter account.