The Shedeur Sanders era in Cleveland is set to begin in an unconventional way.
Sanders’ NFL journey hasn’t exactly followed a smooth path. After sliding to the fifth round of the draft, he entered camp with something to prove. And now, after a solid showing in OTAs and training camp, he’s getting his first unofficial shot.
According to ClevelandBrowns.com insider Mary Kay Cabot, Sanders is expected to start Friday night’s preseason opener on the road against the Panthers. With Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both sidelined by hamstring injuries, the opportunity has fallen to Sanders.
It’s not the way most quarterbacks get their start—but it’s a chance Sanders has been waiting for since being drafted by the Browns.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has kept the quarterback competition wide open, with veteran Joe Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders all in the mix. And while Sanders has mostly worked with the third and fourth-team units, he’s made the most of those reps—flashing the arm talent, athleticism, and confidence that made him a star at Colorado.
Friday’s game won’t just be a test of Sanders’ mechanics—it’ll be a look at how quickly he can process plays, manage a huddle, and handle pressure at the NFL level. He’s expected to get extended run, and with other quarterbacks nursing injuries, a strong outing could fast-track his place in the pecking order.
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For Sanders, this is more than just filling in—it’s an early audition for something bigger.
Coaches have reportedly taken notice of his poise and work ethic. Now he’ll have the stage to show it under the lights.
It may just be preseason, but for Sanders, this moment means everything. It’s a real shot to change the narrative—and it starts Friday night.