Shedeur Sanders made his highly awaited NFL debut for the Browns in the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Sanders has been one of the most talked-about athletes in recent years. He was expected to be a top draft pick earlier this year.
However, he ended up slipping to the fifth round and was the 144th pick by the Browns. Despite the shocking decline, Sanders always had fans by his side. Now, when he made his NFL debut, the same fans flocked to the internet with their reactions.
Here are the top eight memes from X on Sanders’ debut:
“Mel Kiper somewhere right now watching Sheduer,” a fan wrote with an edited picture of Kiper Jr. as Thanos.
Mel Kiper somewhere right now watching Sheduer pic.twitter.com/i61O8HuwJD
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) August 9, 2025
“Every time Shedeur Sanders throws a TD. The Browns Owner,” a fan used a popular Charles Barkley video for the meme.
Every time Shedeur Sanders throws a TD
The Browns Owner:
— BizarroWorld (@BcdaGR81) August 9, 2025
“Not going to forget how Mel Kiper jr stood 10 toes down for Shedeur Sanders through the whole NFL Draft process and called BS for what the league was doing. No one could change his mind that he was the best QB in the draft,” a fan commented.
Not going to forget how Mel Kiper jr stood 10 toes down for Shedeur Sanders through the whole NFL Draft process and called BS for what the league was doing. No one could change his mind that he was the best QB in the draft. pic.twitter.com/aYk7FkpbbU
— TruthGoodMedicine (@JamaRaimer) August 9, 2025
“me liking every Shedeur Sanders tweet tonight and for the duration of the season,” another wrote.
me liking every Shedeur Sanders tweet tonight and for the duration of the season pic.twitter.com/d8iBhEpQ3b
— Emmie 🦬 (@EmmieAward19) August 9, 2025
“All this Shedeur Sanders praise on my TL but yah wasn’t in them trenches them Colorado days or Draft night Stay on that side please,” a fan posted.
All this Shedeur Sanders praise on my TL but yah wasn’t in them trenches them Colorado days or Draft night Stay on that side please pic.twitter.com/CPjDVdxu2o
— 「 𝚈𝚞𝚛𝚙𝚎 」 (@7urpe) August 9, 2025
“’What was it like watching Shedeur Sanders on August 8, 2025?’” A fan used the viral Vince McMahon meme template.
“What was it like watching Shedeur Sanders on August 8, 2025?”
— Gracie (@graciem120001) August 9, 2025
“Pittsburgh Steelers really left that QB spot open for Aaron Rodgers on Medicare rather than drafting Shedeur Sanders,” a fan wrote.
Pittsburgh Steelers really left that QB spot open for Aaron Rodgers on Medicare rather than drafting Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/OJATezcHEY
— Bino (@AnimeGuru100) August 9, 2025
“Deion Sanders at home watching this Shedeur Sanders masterclass,” FanDuel Sportsbook posted with a Shannon Sharpe meme template.
Deion Sanders at home watching this Shedeur Sanders masterclass: pic.twitter.com/43CWC3ZZhI
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 9, 2025
Sanders’ debut went as expected. The Browns registered a 30-10 victory as Sanders impressed everyone with his performance. He completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts, netting 138 yards, two touchdowns, and 19 rushing yards.
Mel Kiper Jr. going viral on Shedeur Sanders’ debut was destiny
There have been times when players have ranked better on draft projections or mock drafts. Those players have slipped a few positions in the actual draft. But we rarely get to see a decline quite like Shedeur Sanders’ in any sport.
The number one projected draft pick slipped to the fifth round, 144th position. Throughout the tense few days, Kiper Jr. backed Sanders as he believed the 23-year-old was to be the number one draft pick.
Before the Browns picked him in the fifth round, Kiper Jr. said:
“The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks,” Kiper said. “Clueless. They have no idea what they’re doing in terms of evaluating quarterbacks. That’s proof. There’s proof of that. They say, ‘We know exactly what we’re talking about when it comes to quarterbacks.’ They don’t!”
Seeing Sanders be the starting QB for and put up a commendable performance must’ve reaffirmed his belief in Sanders’ talent.
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