NFL Insider Shares Reviews of Shedeur Sanders' Browns Preseason Debut vs. Panthers

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders largely impressed during his NFL preseason debut last week, but assessments of his performance by those in the league have been a mixed bag.

Speaking Monday on the Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 7:30 mark), The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini revealed what league sources told her about Sanders' showing:

One source was hugely positive about what the fifth-round pick put on tape, saying, "Great arm, great poise, great energy."

However, Russini noted that "poor ball security in the pocket when moving" was the most consistent criticism he faced.

Other critiques included Sanders not being "the most disciplined" quarterback and some high throws on slant routes.

With Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both out due to hamstring injuries and head coach Kevin Stefanski opting not to play 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco, Sanders got the start in the Browns' first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

Despite making his NFL debut, Sanders didn't look at all out of place, as he went 14-of-23 for 138 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while also rushing for 19 yards on four carries.

Both of Sanders' touchdown passes were thrown to Kaden Davis in the second quarter, giving Cleveland a 14-7 lead entering halftime. The Browns went on to win the game 30-10 in dominant fashion:

In his two collegiate seasons at Colorado, Sanders was highly productive, and he had seemingly played his way into the conversation of being a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

There was even debate of who would be the first quarterback off the board between him and Cam Ward after Sanders won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors last season by completing 74.0 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

However, while Ward went first overall to the Tennessee Titans, Sanders dropped out of the first round and had to wait until Day 3 to hear his name called when the Browns took him 144th overall in the fifth round.

While it was a shocking development, it may have put a chip on Sanders' shoulder and given him even more incentive to thrive at the NFL level.

Sanders was far from perfect in his preseason debut, but in the midst of an open competition for the Browns' starting quarterback job, he had to have helped his own cause more than he hurt it.

His next chance to improve his candidacy for the starting spot will come Saturday when the Browns go on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles in their second of three preseason games.