After months of waiting and speculation after his shocking fall down the draft board, Shedeur Sanders has finally taken his first snaps in the NFL.
Although Sanders was expected to be selected in the top five of the draft, he dropped to the fifth round where the Cleveland Browns chose him with the 144th pick.
Sanders made his first preseason start on Friday in a matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Due to several injuries among the Browns’ quarterbacks, Sanders was given the chance to start and take the opening snaps for Cleveland.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel was considered questionable because of a hamstring injury, and seasoned player Kenny Pickett also missed the game for the same reason. This situation left Sanders and former Pro Bowl player Tyler Huntley as the remaining healthy quarterbacks for the Browns.
Sanders entered the stadium alongside an entourage – playing his own unreleased music and walking with someone who carried a staff.
But Sanders’ start was rocky. A three-and-out on his first drive was followed up by a wild turnover-on-downs.
Shedeur Sanders got his first snaps in an NFL game as he got the start in a preseason contest
After some initial stumbles and mistakes, Sanders found the end zone in the second quarter
The crux came on a 4th & 1 after Sanders threw an 11 yard pass the play before.
Only needing a yard to continue the drive, Sanders took the snap and was immediately faced with pass rush pressure.
In the backfield, Sanders scrambled extensively, retreating 20 yards in an attempt to evade a sack, only to end up throwing the ball away and conceding possession to Carolina. The Panthers capitalized by scoring quickly afterward, taking an early lead.
However, the rookie from Colorado soon found his groove. During Cleveland’s third drive under Sanders, the team had to punt. Nonetheless, Panthers returner Trevor Etienne fumbled the catch, allowing the Browns to regain control of the ball at the 10-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Sanders completed a toss to wideout Kaden Davis for his first touchdown in the league.
He ran off to the end zone to join in the joy with his teammates before doing his signature ‘Wrists Up’ celebration.
On social media, Sanders’ father, Colorado head coach and Hall-of-Fame member Deion Sanders, shared his excitement, posting ‘Yes Lawd! Yes!’ He later added another post stating, ‘God is so Good!’
NBA icon LeBron James also praised Shedeur: ‘That young [king emoji] looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.’
Sanders would pass for another touchdown toward the end of the first half
After a rugged start, he eclipsed 100 yards passing and two touchdowns in the first half
James followed that up, saying, ‘And I don’t wanna hear that ‘It’s only preseason’ bs. Cause if he was out there not going in y’all would be on his ass about it! So give credit and grace lames
Other former NFL stars praised the rookie gunslinger as well. Former quarterback Chase Daniel said, ‘Shedeur Sanders fits this in a tight window going to his left. Extremely difficult throw & you couldn’t place it any better. Excellent.’
Ex-cornerback Richard Sherman said, ‘Wow @shedeursanders what a throw!!!! Dime!’ Former wide receiver Dez Bryant also chimed in: ‘Put on a show @ShedeurSanders’.
Later in the second quarter, Sanders would lead the Browns on a drive once again and found Davis a second time to take the lead.
After starting his day going 3-for-7 for 19 yards, Sanders’ would end the first half going 11-for-18 with 103 yards and two touchdowns.
He’d continue to play for part of the third quarter, before being pulled for Huntley. Sanders finished the night completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and those two scores.
The Browns would go on to win the game 30-10 and after he was pulled the contest, he sent a message to his father: ‘Sorry pops, I ain’t do what I was supposed to do fully. But, you know, we’ll live to see another opportunity.’
After the game, he spoke about his process going through the league so far: ‘I mean, God is patient with us, as humans. We mess up at times but I don’t feel like he throws us away as individuals.’
‘It’s different things and different life lessons you know you gotta go through. I haven’t went through this situation that I’m in, ever. So it’s really just a test… but anyway, I’m just thankful that I was able to see [the light of day] and get out there and play.’
