Rookie Sensation? Shedeur Sanders Lights Up Preseason with 2 TDs in Browns’ Victory over Panthers — Is Cleveland Witnessing the Birth of Its Next Star QB?
The Cleveland Browns’ preseason just got a serious jolt of excitement — and it came courtesy of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who looked every bit the part of a future franchise star in Thursday night’s 27-17 win over the Carolina Panthers.
In just over two quarters of action, the 22-year-old showed poise beyond his years, completing 14 of 20 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. More than the numbers, it was the how that set the Dawg Pound buzzing — pinpoint throws into tight coverage, pocket awareness under pressure, and the kind of calm leadership you’d expect from a seasoned veteran.
Sanders’ first touchdown came midway through the first quarter, a perfectly placed 28-yard strike to wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones that split two defenders and had the crowd on its feet. His second score, a quick 12-yard laser to tight end David Njoku in the red zone, capped off a crisp 75-yard drive that highlighted his quick decision-making and timing.
“I just went out there and played my game,” Sanders said postgame, shrugging off the hype with the same composure he showed in the pocket. “The O-line gave me time, the receivers made plays — it was a team effort.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised the rookie’s performance but was quick to temper expectations. “It’s one preseason game,” Stefanski said. “But Shedeur is doing all the right things — studying, working hard, taking coaching. You can see the growth.”
The buzz around Sanders has been building since he was drafted earlier this year, given his high-profile college career and the pedigree of being the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Still, many wondered how quickly he could adapt to the speed and complexity of the pro game. If Thursday night was any indication, that learning curve might be shorter than expected.
Cleveland fans, long starved for stability at the quarterback position, can’t help but dream — is Shedeur Sanders the answer they’ve been waiting decades for? With more preseason reps and the regular season looming, the Browns’ coaching staff will be watching closely.
One thing’s for certain: Sanders just turned a routine August game into one of the most talked-about performances of the NFL preseason. And in Cleveland, hope — much like Shedeur’s spiral — is flying high.
