A Promising Start: Sanders Leads Browns to Preseason Rout

Shedeur SandersMay 9, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Nobody thinks much of the Browns, or of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, heading into this season.

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Possibly what happened Friday night in the preseason opener against the host Carolina Panthers will change that opinion a little. Or perhaps not. Indeed, the sentiment seems so strong that it may not change anything.

But for those who think objectively, as they should  if they’re in the media, and not subjectively, what took place has to alter things, doesn’t it?

Sanders was pretty darn good, and so were the Browns, in a dominant 30–10 victory.

Sanders started the game and played into the third quarter, completing 13 of 24 passes for two touchdowns with no interceptions.

If it were another rookie quarterback doing that, say his teammate, Dillon Gabriel, people would probably be effusive in their praise. But because it’s Sanders, for whom there seems to be an emotion that borders on hatred and total disrespect, people will likely try to find a way to write it off as insignificant.

We’ll see, but eventually, the truth wins out. That’s true, even in the case of some people high up in the Browns organization who don’t seem to be very favorable towards Sanders.

But for a team that is in desperate need of good players, especially good young players, and particularly those at quarterback, they can’t hold that position too long.

Steve King

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