Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Apologizes After Breakout Debut

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders impressed in his NFL debut Friday night but still felt the need to apologize after the game.

Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. While not flawless, he was sharp, making plays with his legs and delivering precision strikes on both scoring throws.

However, one of his first statements during his on-field interview was directed at his father, Deion Sanders.

“Sorry pops. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do fully,” Sanders said. “But we will live to see another opportunity.”

Shedeur delivered the message with a smile, knowing his father was cheering from afar. Deion Sanders posted to social media during the matchup after his son’s touchdowns.

“Yes Lawd! Yes!” Deion Sanders wrote on X during the game, tagging Shedeur.

Shedeur played for his father at both Colorado and Jackson State. Before the game, Deion Sanders admitted it would be “weird” to watch without being on the sideline but predicted a big night.

“I just can’t wait to see him get down tonight,” Deion Sanders told reporters. “But it’s going to be a little weird, a little strange. He’s gonna be a problem after tonight though, I promise you that.”

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Looking to Spark ‘Change’ in Cleveland

The Browns may have the NFL’s most convoluted quarterback situation, with Sanders battling Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel for the starting job. Flacco currently tops the depth chart, while Sanders is working his way up from the bottom.

But with Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel sidelined against the Panthers, Sanders took center stage. Newly signed veteran Tyler Huntley saw action late, though it’s unclear how long he’ll remain in the mix as Cleveland manages its injury issues with Pickett and Gabriel.

Sanders is looking to be a catalyst for change in Cleveland. He delivered the first spark against the Panthers, with celebrities like LeBron James and Jamie Foxx voicing their support.

“I would say just the energy,” Sanders said when asked about the “change” he’s brought to Cleveland. “I just feel like overall, it was a different spark. Even though it’s a preseason game, typically — people don’t take these too serious — but that’s our Super Bowl. That’s each and every player’s Super Bowl. So the change is a family thing. It is a family. You got to be able to go to war with each and every guy and understand we’re not playing for ourselves here, we’re playing for each other. It’s everybody doing their job and that’s how we believe in one another.”

Browns Uncertain of Next Step in QB Competition

Sanders has not received any time with the first-team offense during training camp. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declined to say if that would change after Sanders’ preseason performance.

“We’re really just focused on developing our players,” Stefanski said. “We’re in evaluation mode. I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into a quarterback competition.”

That said, Stefanski added that “a ton of reps” are on the horizon for Sanders. Whether any of those reps will be with the starters is still to be determined.

“The situations were invaluable for Shedeur,” Stefanski said. “For all of our offense. We got a third and one where he had a quarterback sneak. I mean, there’s just a lot of football and that’s by design with him getting a ton of reps in this game. And he’ll get a ton of reps next week as well. That’s all part of our development of our young players.”

The Browns’ next preseason game is scheduled for August 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles.