Despite starting the final seven games of the 2025 NFL season, Shedeur Sanders hadn’t guaranteed himself a starting spot. Instead, new head coach Todd Monken wanted a battle between Sanders and Deshaun Watson to determine their QB1.
Both players were given equal opportunities, including starting in the preseason. After Watson started last week, the role was Sanders’ this time around. In addition to his performance on the field, though, he also had a legendary moment on the sideline.
Shedeur Sanders Steals the Show in Preseason Week 2
Given the starting nod, Sanders put together a solid game against the Buffalo Bills. Completing 9 of 11 passing attempts for 74 yards and a touchdown, he unfortunately cost the Browns an interception as well.
But according to the second-generation star, the problems began before he’d even stepped onto the field. Speaking to reporters on the sideline, he revealed a huge blunder on his end to start the day.
“I messed up before I got on the field. I didn’t go out for the coin toss,” Sanders revealed.
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While Sanders wasn’t the designated team captain for the day, he was supposed to go out for the coin toss to represent the Browns.
His hilarity and candidness certainly impressed insider Warren Sharp, who wrote, “Love him or hate him, you can’t doubt it: Shedeur Sanders just gave one of the interviews of all time. Stop scrolling & watch, it’s absolutely amazing.”
love him or hate him, you can’t doubt it:
Shedeur Sanders just gave one of the interviews of all time
stop scrolling & watch it’s absolutely amazing https://t.co/StwDu7539g pic.twitter.com/R0LJdDFJDu
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 22, 2026
But Sanders was quickly able to move past that blip, alongside the delay caused by the weather, to put together a spectacular opening script. Going down the length of the field for 65 yards, he recorded the only Browns touchdown of the game.
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Ultimately, they lost 31-7, but their head coach might have gotten an idea of what Sanders can bring to the table at his best. It remains to be seen if that turns out to be enough to win the starting job.
Last season, Sanders got his shot under center after both Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel had gotten some burn. During his time as their quarterback, he recorded 1,400 passing yards and 7touchdowns while giving up 10 interceptions.
As a result, he ranked second-to-last on PFN’s QB Impact Metric. But with no real alternative in sight, the Browns chose to move forward with a quarterback battle between Sanders and Watson to determine the starter.
The growing expectation, though, is that either name might be a placeholder until the 2027 offseason, when the Browns could target a quarterback in the first round as their long-term franchise cornerstone.
