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.
Sanders, who was widely projected to be a top-five pick, fell to the fifth round before he was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th selection.
On Friday, Sanders got his first preseason start in a game against the Carolina Panthers. With multiple injuries to Browns quarterbacks, Sanders got the nod to take the first snaps of the game for Cleveland.
Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel was ruled out as questionable with a hamstring injury. Veteran Kenny Pickett missed the game for the same reason. It left the Browns with Sanders and former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley as their healthy options.
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.
Sanders scampered wildly in the backfield – dropping back 20 yards to try and avoid the sack, only to throw the ball away and give possession back to Carolina. The Panthers scored on the next drive, going up early.
But eventually, the rookie out of Colorado got into a rhythm. Cleveland punted on their third drive under Sanders, but Panthers returner Trevor Etienne muffed the return and gave the Browns control 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.
Social media reaction was led by his father, Colorado head coach and Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders who posted, ‘Yes Lawd! Yes!’ Later in the night, he’d post again, saying ‘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.’
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