A debut to remember.
Shedeur Sanders had the NFL world buzzing during his debut performance in the Cleveland Browns first preseason game of 2025.
Finishing the game with over 130 yards and two touchdowns, there were plenty of positives to take away from his performance.
In this article, I look at the three biggest takeaways from Sanders promising start to his NFL career.
Smooth operations
Above all else, the biggest indicator that a rookie quarterback (QB) is ready to play is how well they handle the offensive operations.
Commanding the huddle, getting plays out, setting protections and operating the play as designed. These are all things that are required before a QB even throws the ball.
Sanders ticked all these boxes.
The rookie QB showed poise beyond his years while running the operations which was evident in his ability to set and recognise protections.
The most impressive part of his second touchdown pass was his ability to recognise the blitz and trust his protection enough to stand in the pocket and deliver the pass. Veteran level stuff from the rookie.
NFL throws
While running the operations is important, none of that matters if a QB cannot make NFL throws.
Whether it was his first touchdown pass that was perfectly placed between two defenders, or the scramble drill throw over four defenders to camp favourite Luke Floriea, Sanders showed his ability to make NFL level throws.
He does not have the strongest arm in the world, and you will never see him make 70 yard bombs with ease like a Josh Allen. But he has an arm good enough to make all the throws on an NFL field.
While there is a lot more we need to see from the rookie in regards to arm talent, he impressed with some real NFL level throws in his first performance.
Confidence
Running the operations and making NFL throws are important to a players success, but a QB has to believe in himself in order to be successful in the NFL.
Perhaps no rookie QB in 2025 believes in themself more than Shedeur Sanders.
The young QB has an air of confidence around him that is infectious. Players gravitate towards him. He shows poise and confidence well beyond his years.
That confidence is shown off the field, with Sanders turning up to his NFL debut in a scene that could be mistaken for a global music superstar turning up to a show. He carries himself well and shows no signs of someone who is affected by outside noise.
And it was also shown on the field, where despite being backed up inside his own 10 yard line and facing a 3rd and 8, Sanders stood strong in the pocket and delivered a 1st down strike despite multiple defenders in his face.
Confidence goes a long way in the development of a young player, and Sanders has it in abundance. If he is going to be successful in the NFL, it starts with his confidence to do so.
Moving forward
While fans should of course temper expectations after just one preseason game, Sanders has shown that he deserves more opportunities within the Browns QB room.
Starting as the fourth QB on the depth chart, the fifth round pick has taken every opportunity he can get to climb the depth chart.
He still has a long road towards becoming the Browns starting QB in 2025 and beyond, but Sanders has passed each test he has faced and has set himself up for an increased role during the Browns joint practices with the Eagles this week.
Fifth round picks do not normally provide this much excitement in the NFL. Sanders is the exception.
