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Shedeur Sanders Had Classy Message After Epic NFL Debut

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 12:11 AM ET

Plenty of eyes were on Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers. Well, let's just say he didn't disappoint.

There were plenty of debates about whether or not the Browns were setting Sanders up to fail by naming him the starter on Friday. We're not kidding. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith unleashed a whole rant about that on "First Take." Sanders' father, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, refused to subscribe to that nonsense. He told the media that Shedeur would play well in his debut.

"I can't wait," Sanders said, via USA Today. "I'm like a kid in the candy shop. It’s like your baby’s out there. … You cut their biblical cord, and now they doing their thing. I just can't wait to see him get down tonight. But it's going to be a little weird. It's going to be a little strange. It really is …. I got to admit that, but I'm praying for him and God set him up in place him in a perfect position that he needs to be in. It's going to be a problem after tonight though. I promise you that."

Sanders was a problem for Carolina's defense on Friday, completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards with two touchdowns.

Despite how well he played in his preseason debut, Sanders refused to pat himself on the back.

"I don’t feel like I was sharp at all, honestly," Sanders said after being replaced by Tyler Huntley, via Cleveland.com. "I think I was OK today, but you know, the next opportunity I get I just, you know, got to build on this one."

Sanders wasn't even willing to say if he earned more reps with his performance against the Panthers.

"I honestly don’t know and I don’t really care, you know?" Sanders said. "Whenever it’s my turn I’ve just got to take advantage of it. I feel like today I did some good, some bad and I know moving forward I won’t make the same mistakes twice.”

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will ultimately decide if Sanders deserves to move up the depth chart.

Next up for the Browns is a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 16. We'll see if Sanders gets another chance to shine.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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