Lakers star LeBron James responded to critics who are trying to downplay Shedeur Sanders’ amazing NFL preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers to defend the Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback.
James started by praising Sanders directly on X, saying:
“That young looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.”
That young 🤴🏾 looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high 🙌🏾🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 9, 2025
But the four-time NBA champion was not done yet. In a subsequent post, James expressed his frustration with people who were attempting to minimize Sanders’ accomplishment.
“And I don’t wanna hear that ‘It’s only preseason’ bs,” James wrote. “Cause if he was out there not going in y’all would be on his ass about it! So give credit and grace lames.”
Sanders lit it up in his first pro game, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a win for the Browns over the Carolina Panthers. Not to mention the impressive performance when Sanders is being a fourth-string quarterback because of injuries and rest days for other quarterbacks available.
Listed as the fourth-string quarterback behind Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and veteran Joe Flacco, Sanders was only in because of unforeseeable circumstances. Pickett and Gabriel were both injured, and Flacco was on a rest day.
Shedeur Sanders Throws First NFL Touchdown to Kaden Davis
After taking a few safe short completions and using his mobility to extend plays against the Panthers, Sanders began slowly and worked through his nerves. Sanders started to find some rhythm as the game went on, topping off the outing with two passing touchdowns to receiver Kaden Davis.
Sanders threw the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 7-yard completion to Davis early in the second quarter. The touchdown came following a Panthers’ turnover, where the Browns seized an excellent opportunity in Carolina’s territory.
With only a few seconds running out in the half, Sanders and Davis connected again for a 12-yard touchdown pass. This pass showcased increasingly improved timing and accuracy as the game went on. These two touchdown passes provided evidence of Sanders’ ability to make plays when the moment is available.
Besides the touchdown statistics, Sanders took snaps from multiple offensive formations during his ample time on the field. The performance was even more significant in light of Sanders’ draft slide, going from a likely first-round talent to a fifth-round pick.
The next game for the Cleveland Browns will be their second preseason game, scheduled for Saturday, August 16, against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, kicking off at 1:00 pm ET.
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