Shedeur Sanders will finally have his make-or-break moment in the Cleveland Browns preseason opener. Sanders was named the starting quarterback as he will take the reins against the Carolina Panthers this Friday, August 9, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium.
The NFL’s official X account posted the update and it paved the way for many fans to react.
QB Shedeur Sanders will start in Browns preseason opener. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/Z611TnShRk
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2025
Some fans were in support of this move as they believe Sanders is the best in the crowded Browns QB room which includes veterans Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Tyler Huntley.
“10x better than all their QBs combined!! Browns need to stop f*cking around and give him the keys,” one fan wrote.
“Kansas City!!! We’re coming for the AFC Crown 👑,” another fan speculated.
LFG pic.twitter.com/4Oli2hKr9c
— HYPEconomist (@theHYPEconomist) August 5, 2025
“Shedeur starting already? Browns wasting zero time 🧠🔥 from Prime Time to game time
who else tuning in just to watch him cook? 🏈👀” one fan added.
However, there were also some fans, who don’t think Sanders will last long in this position.
“This is legit his career on the line, if he plays bad he will never see the field again😂” one fan put it bluntly.
“Bro bout to get 1 snap and get benched for Flacco killing everyone hopes,” another fan speculated.
“Bros fourth string his only time to shine is now and he still gone flunk out 😂,” another fan suggested.
Why is Shedeur Sanders Starting Despite Being QB4 on Depth Chart?
It’s a stroke of luck, one can say, as Shedeur Sanders gets to start in the season opener. That’s because those ahead of him are either injured or the Browns don’t want to expose them. Veteran Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel are struggling with hamstring injuries. Joe Flacco, who’s on top, won’t get the touches this early in the preseason, though he still remains the firm favorite as the Browns’ starting quarterback once the regular season starts.
Another quarterback, who was recently added, Tyler Huntley, is below Sanders in the quarterback chart. But he’s likely to get some of his touches in the preseason game against the Panthers.
Nonetheless, it’s an opportunity for Sanders to show the world why he was hailed as a first-round projection before he unexpectedly fell down to the fifth round. Meanwhile, for the Broncos, they’ll likely take a close look at how Sanders performs on the field and whether they can take a bet on him when the regular season starts.
As for Sanders, he needs to bring his A-game or else his NFL career might be in jeopardy already.
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