CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shedeur Sanders showed real command and poise as he made his first NFL preseason start on Friday night vs. the Carolina Panthers. He operated with the confidence of a seasoned pro rather than a fifth-round rookie.
He put the offense on his back with sharp decision-making and crisp timing, completing 14 of his 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdown strikes to Kaden Davis, erasing an early 7-0 deficit and helping to seize control by halftime of a 30-10 win.
Sanders processed the defense quickly, identifying coverages and delivering well-placed throws while navigating a packed pocket with poise. That said, there are still concerns to address. He held onto the ball too long on a couple of broken-play scrambles, even turning his back to the line of scrimmage, which led to a costly loss and a near interception.
Sanders' leadership under pressure really defined his third-quarter performance especially following two faltering second-half drives bogged down by pre-snap penalties and a sack. He didn't flinch when the offense stalled; instead, he reset the offense's rhythm with precision and determination.
From the Carolina 48-yard line, he dropped back and delivered a perfect 25-yard strike to a wide-open Brenden Bates, moving the chains, and putting the Browns in prime scoring position for Gage Larvadain's go-ahead jet fly sweep touchdown.
That throw wasn't just a big gain. It was a tone-setter, demonstrating his composure, field vision, and unshakeable confidence when momentum was at its most fragile.
Sanders showcased exceptional red zone accuracy in his NFL preseason debut, delivering two touchdown passes to wide receiver Kaden Davis that highlighted his precision and poise under pressure.
On the first touchdown, Sanders executed a classic levels concept, delivering a precise 7-yard strike to Davis between two defenders. This throw demonstrated his ability to read the defense and place the ball accurately in tight coverage, resulting in a clean catch and score.
Here is a look at the first touchdown. The play shows Sanders' accuracy as he squeezed the football to Davis in the corner of the end zone. The play is a simple boot pass off a wide zone run with three levels for Sanders to read.
This play, often used by Stefanski, provides an easy and consistent read for the quarterback. Sanders' first option was Jamari Thrash on level one, who came across the formation but was covered. The second progression was Diontae Johnson on the level-two drag route, who was rerouted and covered by the safety.
Sanders then moved to his third progression, Davis on level three, completing the touchdown pass. The ball was placed perfectly between the cornerback and the flat defender closing in after covering Thrash.
The second touchdown showcased Sanders' full-field progression skills. Operating from the 12-yard line with a minute left in the half, he faced pressure but maintained his composure.
Let's take a look at what Sanders saw on his second touchdown.
The Browns will motion to try and declare coverage.
Sanders showcases outstanding processing and mechanics on the play, a variation of the stick dagger concept. His first read is to the left, but the quick out and the tight end stick route were both covered.
Remaining poised, he quickly reset his feet and worked through his progression to the right. Cade McDonald's route held the safety in place, opening a clean throwing lane. The stack formation and switch release gave Davis immediate inside leverage on the corner, and Sanders fired a pinpoint throw for the score.
While Sanders' preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns showcased his potential, several areas for improvement were evident. Despite leading the team to the win, Sanders faced challenges typical for a rookie quarterback.
One notable concern was his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to unnecessary sacks.
In the first half, he was sacked once, and later in the game he took another sack, indicating the need to improve consistency in his decision-making under pressure.
Additionally, there was a failed fourth-down conversion attempt, reflecting moments where the offense struggled to execute in critical situations. These instances again highlight the need for Sanders to maintain consistency in decision-making and better pocket awareness.
Here is a play from Sanders that the entire offense can learn from.
On 4th-and-2, the Panthers bring a slot pressure from the left side. Sanders and the slot receiver did not recognize the safety "stacking" over the blitzer, indicating a possible blitz and coverage responsibility on that receiver.
After the misread, Sanders compounds the error by holding onto the ball and scrambling instead of throwing it away or giving his receiver a chance to make a play.
Shedeur Sanders' NFL preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns was a compelling showcase of his potential, though not without areas for growth. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff deserve credit for effectively preparing Sanders for this opportunity. Stefanski's decision to start Sanders in this game, given the injuries to other quarterbacks, allowed the rookie to showcase his abilities and gain valuable experience.