One of the two Browns rookie quarterbacks gets a chance to start in the preseason opener.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There is something about Cleveland Browns quarterbacks that is strange when it comes to injuries, whether they be major or minor. The Browns have had nine different starting quarterback over the past two seasons, primarily due to injury.
In 2025, the Browns started training camp with an almost unheard of five quarterbacks on the roster, including four competing for the starting position. However, through just two weeks of practicing, three of the four have been limited by setbacks, due to soreness or injuries. Ironically, the 40-year old, is the one so far who has not been affected.
And the Browns have not even got to the regular season, as of yet.
Shedeur Sanders has been running as the fourth quarterback in the four-way quarterback competition, but the door has been opened, at least for now, for the rookie from Colorado to get a chance.
The hamstring injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel has made it possible for Sanders to start the first preseason game on Friday night against the Panthers. All along, Sanders was expected to play a lot in the preseason, but he is in for an extended look in the first game as Joe Flacco will be rested. The only other quarterback slated to play is Tyler Huntley, who just joined the Browns on Tuesday of this week.
Heading into training camp it was highly unlikely that Sanders would end up starting the first preseason game.
Sanders was named the starting quarterback for this week's game, days after he spoke to the media last Saturday. During that session, Sanders was asked what he wants to show when he gets to play.
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"Have you watched me in college?" Sanders said to the reporter. "Well, a little bit of that going on. I'm still the same guy. Nothing happened to me. I'm the same guy. If anything, I'm a little bit stronger mentally, physically, emotionally, and the way how I handle different situations."
Sanders, 23, played in 24 games the last two seasons at Colorado and completed 71.8 percent of his passes on 651 completions of 907 passes attempted for 7,364 yards. He threw 64 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions, including a rating of 160.4. In 2024, Sanders completed 74.0 percent of his passes, including 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and a rating of 168.2. His career totals are an all-time career record for a FBS/ Division 1-A (or equivalent) quarterback.
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Sanders said he has been absorbing as much as he can in training camp, despite not getting a lot of reps.
"I would say just learning, everyday," he said earlier in training camp. "I'm learning different things because I know the opportunity will come whenever it comes. I want to be able to know the ins and outs and know the full everything. So, I don't want to really make too many mistakes when it's my time."
Sanders has high standards for himself and is trying to improve every day and is not focused on the quarterback competition.
"I don't think not getting out the mix is even a thought in my mind, in any room," he said. "So, I know I have the utmost standards for myself, and I know all I could do is go out there and do what I got to do every day and make minimal mistakes.
"And I know it's long ways to go with everything and I know I lack experience on this realm and on this level, but one thing I can hang my hat on is in all pressure situations, you know who I am."
Sanders told his father, Deion Sanders, to not come to training camp because he wants to 'get to where I want to go' before he comes to see him.
"Like I don't want him coming to see me right now because I want to get to where I want to go then for him to see me," he said. "I don't want him to come and see me, get a couple reps and you know, he's cheering like a good dad. Like, nah, you can't be proud of me right now.
"I got to get to where I'm going, and I know it's a lot I got to do to get there," he said. "So, it's kind of like I just want everything that I'm doing is just like focus on this time and I don't want any distractions because we know out of media, we know how everybody would take it and take away from the team, just from him being my own dad showing up. So, you know, it's a gift and a curse at the same time."
Sanders said he was excited to get to have a chance to play in the preseason before he even knew he would get the start.
"Now, I'm excited," he said. "I'll say overall, being able to be healthy to come to practice today and being able to go against an actual defense and get live reps and everything. So, I'm just thankful, I prepare each day as such, and I stay focused throughout everything. So, whenever it is my time to get out there, I'll be able to be myself."
Sanders start in the first game--albeit preseason--is expected to make this one of the biggest draws of the NFL this weekend as the game is on national television and is expected to draw a big audience.
What are the realistic expectations for Sanders in his first NFL action?
Will he look closer to the player many draft experts projected him to be as a potential first-round or even a top 10 draft pick or look like he's closer to being the fifth-round pick he actually was?
There are many variables to take into account, including what offensive linemen are playing, will there be a running game, who will the receivers be, to name a few.
Panthers coach Dave Canales said the plan for the Panthers was to start his first team, both on offense and defense. The question is how long will they be in the game? Meanwhile, Stefanski said many of the regulars will not play, including the top two wide receivers, Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman.
So far in training camp, Sanders has had limited reps in practice in team drills, but the rookie has come a long way since he first arrived at Browns rookie minicamp in May with his footwork, mechanics and so forth.
It is hard to project how Sanders will fare in his first outing, after not having any reps with the first team offense and only a handful against the Browns first team defense. If he plays well, he will earn more and more playing time and his development will continue to grow.
This could just be the opportunity that Sanders needs to light it up and make the Browns and their fans beg for more.
If he plays poorly his supporters will say he was set up to fail.
One thing you can be sure to count on is that there will be plenty of overreactions, no matter what happens.
Either way, it is a major opportunity for Sanders to learn and grow at the NFL level.
Flacco summed it up pretty well on Wednesday, "It'll be interesting."
