Fans had to wait some time to hear Shedeur Sanders’ name called during the NFL Draft, but it didn’t take long for the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders to make an impact on the field.
The rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns opened the scoring against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, connecting with Kaden Davis for a red-zone touchdown early in the second quarter. His performance was quite impressive, although it is still too early to set expectations. However, one legendary figure from the NFL sphere is already excited.
Michael Irvin shares his pride for Shedeur
NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who refers to Sanders as his “nephew,” shared his excitement on social media, writing, “What a throw by my nephew.” The Browns held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.
This is not the first time Irvin has supported Shedeur. “I think the crime, the 50‑million‑dollar robbery of Shedeur Sanders … You just robbed this young man of $50 million. And it wasn’t on his playing ability. Shame on you.” Irvin explicitly called out the NFL for allowing Sanders to slide so far, suggesting the fall cost him massive earnings that weren’t justified by his performance.
Michael Irvin went on many shows to support Shedeur Sanders not getting drafted in the first round, saying: “I have no earthly idea of what I just witnessed. Of all my years of playing, watching, studying this game, I have no earthly way of explaining what I just saw.”
Wow what a throw by nephew @shedeursanders pic.twitter.com/NarfewB3fn
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) August 9, 2025
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz headed out to X and shared what one anonymous AFC North Division team general manager texted him. Schultz wrote, “Text from a high-ranking AFC North executive on #Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders: ‘It’s early, but wow. Actually shocked at how good he looks.’”
Interestingly, after the strike, Sanders launched his signature watch celebration. Fans have seen him do that throughout his collegiate career, so they must be delighted to see him bring it to the NFL arena. Notably, Caitlin Clark also borrowed it once.
Nah this might be the hardest celly Shedeur Sanders has done so far.
Browns might need to take another look at that depth chart👀 pic.twitter.com/bYhiITwdxs
— NoSkoZone (@noskozone) August 9, 2025
Sanders has proven to be a stellar player during the Browns’ training camp. He’s apparently been doing all that coaches have asked him to do while primarily working with the Browns’ third-stringers.
Despite the Browns’ crowded quarterback room, not including the injured Deshaun Watson, Cleveland drafted Sanders. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski decided to give Sanders a start on Friday night. It’s hard to believe that Stefanski would be anything but thrilled with Sanders’ performance.
Sanders is having an impressive night so far as the starting quarterback. The question remains: will it be enough? Only time will tell. Cleveland fans may begin to advocate for Sanders to be the starter when the regular season begins.
Currently, Joe Flacco is projected to be the Week 1 starter, but if Sanders continues to perform at this level, head coach Kevin Stefanski could face a tough decision.
