Seeing Shedeur Sanders on an NFL field seemed murky. After falling from a first-round projection to a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, his future looked as rough as any rookie quarterback in the league. However, through his hard work and some well-timed luck, the son of the legendary Deion Sanders earned a spot as QB1 in the first preseason game for the Cleveland Browns.
But it wasn’t just a spot in the starting lineup for a preseason game that was on the line for the youngster. With five other quarterbacks on the roster, it was his one chance to prove that he belonged in the league. After one half, the verdict was in. A spectacular performance led to widespread praise across social media, with some of the most prominent voices in the sport offering their support.
Shedeur Sanders Turns Preseason Into Must-See TV
In an attempt to protect Joe Flacco from any potential injury, and since Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel were already dealing with issues, head coach Kevin Stefanski gave Sanders the starting nod.
However, with the consensus coming out of training camp being that he wasn’t ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, the doubts were immediate. So far, the 144th overall pick hadn’t gotten a single rep with the first team in practice.
But when the moment called for it, Sanders put up 103 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 11 passes on 18 attempts in the first half alone. Add in three scrambles worth 20 yards, and the makings of a legitimate starting quarterback were clear to see.
As a result, social media was ablaze with praise from the youngster. Among the first was his father, Deion, who said, “Oh yeah, what now! #CoachPrime.” As a proud father and head coach who staked his claim on his son’s talent, the reaction from the two-time Super Bowl champion was understandable.
Almost immediately, Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant responded to the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, “Talk that talk, Prime.” But the one person who seemed the most impressed with the tape Sanders put on display was the transcendent dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Talk that talk Prime. https://t.co/N9fUmIOOeF
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 9, 2025
RG3 detailed everything he’d loved from the youngster in two separate posts. His first post read, “Shedeur Sanders’ decision making has been NFL level. His pocket precise has been NFL Level. His field vision has been NFL-level. His playmaking ability has been NFL-level. But WE ALREADY KNEW THAT.”
Shedeur Sanders’ decision making has been NFL level.
His pocket precise has been NFL Level.
His field vision has been NFL Level.
His playmaking ability has been NFL Level.But WE ALREADY KNEW THAT.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 9, 2025
However, he went on to take a subtle jab at the Cleveland organization with his next post. He added, “Many thought Shedeur Sanders would fail after being thrown to the wolves as the starter with minimal first-team reps against the Carolina Panthers starters. BUT GOD saw fit that Shedeur Sanders would come back leading the pack. Faith and hard work always pay off. Perfect Timing.”
He wasn’t the only one to take a shot at someone from the Browns, though. Ryan Clark of ESPN also had an interesting take, seemingly a shot at owner Jimmy Haslam, shying away from the rumors about his involvement in the Sanders selection.
“Well, at least Andrew Berry gets to take credit for the Shedeur Sanders pick all by himself… because it was made clear the owner wanted nothing to do with it!”
Well at least Andrew Berry gets to take credit for the Shedeur Sanders pick all by himself… because it was made clear the owner wanted nothing to do with it! 👏🏾
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 9, 2025
While he had a solid start to the game, everyone took notice of his first touchdown pass. Immediately, Super Bowl champion and five-time All-Pro selection, Richard Sherman posted, “Wow @ShedeurSanders what a throw!!!! Dime!”
Wow @ShedeurSanders what a throw!!!!
Dime! pic.twitter.com/AHtOkxDqVU— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 8, 2025
Former Kansas City Chiefs star Chase Daniel explained the play in more detail, adding, “Shedeur Sanders fits this in a tight window going to his left. Extremely difficult throw & you couldn’t place it any better. Excellent.”
Shedeur Sanders fits this in a tight window going to his left.
Extremely difficult throw & you couldn’t place it any better. Excellent. pic.twitter.com/o4ndgi1ef4
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 8, 2025
But it wasn’t just that one throw that Daniel was a fan of. Instead, his love for Sanders’s work until that point had one common theme. He added on X, “Number one thing that stood out to me in the first half was decision-making. Coaches are gonna love that he never put the ball in harm’s way.”
Sanders has looked extremely comfortable on the field for a player who had serious questions about his performance coming into the league and through the summer. One preseason game isn’t going to change his entire trajectory.
But it might have given Stefanski enough reasons to give him a second look, deeper into the season. After a spectacular first half, let’s see how the Colorado superstar performs as the preseason continues.
