Before his son Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL preseason game, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders made one “promise” about the quarterback’s NFL future.
“He’s going to be a problem after tonight, I promise you that,” the Colorado head football coach said.
If Friday’s Browns-Panthers game was a preview, there might be some credence to that guarantee.
Shedeur Sanders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the first half of the Browns’ preseason road game against the Panthers on Aug. 8, 2025. AP
The younger Sanders made his debut for Cleveland, connecting for two touchdown passes in a 30-10 win on the road.
Sanders, playing most of the first three quarters, went 14-for-23 on his pass attempts for 138 yards. He added 19 yards on the ground.
The 23-year-old finished the night with a 106.8 passer rating and did not throw an interception.
“I did some good and bad. I know moving forward I won’t do the same mistakes twice whatever the decision is,” Sanders told reporters after the game.
After the Browns recovered a muffed punt late in the first quarter, Sanders — taking over for his fourth drive — was set up for his first red zone chance.
He did not miss.
On second down from the 7-yard line, Sanders faked a handoff and rolled to his left and waited a beat before floating a perfect ball toward the back of the end zone — between two Panthers — defensive backs and into the hands of Kaden Davis for a touchdown.
It elicited an excited response from his proud dad.
“Yes Lawd! Yes! @ShedeurSanders,” Deion wrote on X.
On the Browns’ final full series of the first half, Sanders led a 60-yard drive, finishing it off with a 12-yard strike to a diving Davis for his second score of the night.
Shedeur Sanders looks to pass during the Browns’ preseason game against the Panthers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I wasn’t nervous, so I didn’t really have too much adrenaline,” Sanders said. “It was just getting comfortable, that’s all it is. There were plenty of games before I was nervous, but I felt like I knew the answers to the test.
He helped lead one more touchdown drive in the third quarter, throwing two completions for 25 yards before Gage Larvadain scampered into the end zone on a four-yard run.
“I’m uncomfortable being uncomfortable,” Sanders said. “I got pockets of finding my rhythm, and I got to get into that quicker. … But overall, I felt like me out there.”
“Honestly, I’m pleased with the way Shedeur played,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I’m pleased with the way the offense operated tonight.”
Sanders, who slipped to the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, started off slow, with the team calling some conservative plays early on a three-and-out first series and the QB completing his first pass (for four yards) short of the first-down sticks.
He showed off his versatility with a 10-yard scramble on the next series, which ended deep in Panthers territory after the Browns went for it on fourth-and-1 and failed when Sanders threw the ball away after nearly getting sacked.
But in leading three scoring drives, Sanders flashed the promise — though he admitted there was some sloppiness, including taking two sacks — he had when he starred under his dad at Colorado.
“I know I’m ready for the moment,” Sanders added. “Did I play up to par? No, I don’t feel like I did. But the main goal was to win.”