The Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback played in his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday night in San Francisco. His appearance capped a surprising first season, as he received a late invitation to the AFC roster even though his regular-season stats were mediocre at best.
Sanders’ spot in the new Pro Bowl Games surprised many around the league, considering his rookie season showing.
How Did Shedeur Sanders Perform in the Pro Bowl?
During the regular season, Sanders threw only 7 touchdown passes in eight games, which usually isn’t enough for Pro Bowl honors. He recorded 1400 passing yards, 10 interceptions, and completed 120 of 212 passing attempts. On PFSN’s QBi Metric for the 2025 season, Sanders was ranked 46th with an impact score of 56.9.
However, with the NFL now focusing more on entertainment, the former Colorado star makes sense as a Pro Bowl selection.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback showed flashes of his arm talent during the flag football exhibition, connecting on several impressive throws throughout the evening. His night included two touchdown passes and a successful two-point conversion.
Still, Sanders had some tough moments. He threw two interceptions, including one in the red zone from his own end zone, picked off by Kevin Byard, and another on third-and-goal that stopped an AFC scoring chance.
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The highlight reel featured a touchdown strike to Nico Collins and another scoring connection with Broncos offensive tackle Garrett Bolles, a play that showcased the relaxed approach of the Pro Bowl. Sanders also added a two-point conversion pass to Tee Higgins, helping the AFC build a commanding lead.
Beyond the stats, Sanders brought plenty of entertainment, exactly what the NFL wanted when it invited him. At one point, he was flagged for flag guarding and quickly joked that he was just protecting his “Primes,” referring to his signature cleats.
Sanders also made history as the first former HBCU quarterback to play in the Pro Bowl since Steve McNair in 2005. This added extra meaning to his appearance, beyond just his on-field stats.
It’s still up for debate whether this new approach makes the Pro Bowl more or less prestigious, but Sanders made the most of his chance. He put on a fun show that kept fans watching while the NFC came back to secure a 66-52 win.
Next on the NFL Calendar is the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl LX, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
