Adam Schefter updates Browns QB competition after strong showing by Shedeur Sanders

Published On: August 12, 2025

In a preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, made a big impression in his NFL debut by completing 14 of 23 throws for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

The Browns are looking for their starting quarterback for the 2025 campaign, and they currently have six quarterbacks on the roster.

On SportsCenter Saturday night, ESPN insider Adam Schefter gave an update on the Browns quarterback competition. Schefter claims that Shedeur Sanders’ performance against the Panthers put him right in the mix.

Because of the crowds and injuries, Shedeur Sanders was able to play for as long as he did on Friday night, according to Schefter. Shedeur Sanders came out and accomplished exactly what he needed to do, while Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett have been battling hamstring issues. He performed admirably with his 45 shots.

The Browns have veterans Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, and Tyler Huntley on their roster in addition to Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders. However, Watson is still recuperating from an Achilles tendon rupture sustained during the previous season.

The Browns only used Sanders and Huntley at quarterback against the Panthers since Pickett, Gabriel, and Watson were out and Flacco was starting his 18th season in the NFL.

In his preseason debut, Sanders undoubtedly looked like an NFL quarterback, and later this month, he should have further chances to prove himself against the Eagles and Rams.

It was difficult not to see him and sense that he couldn’t start at the NFL level, even though he wasn’t happy with the performance. Schefter stated he shone. In the preseason, he will have the opportunity to continue doing that. It will be extremely challenging for the Cleveland Browns to keep him off the field for the duration of the season if he performs at the way he did on Friday night.

Shedeur Sanders, who was predicted to be picked in the first round but ended up in the fifth, was the most talked-about player both before and after the NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and other NFL analysts were perplexed by Sanders’ draft decline.

Sanders appeared capable of playing quarterback on Friday, though it’s clear that his NFL career is still very early.

In the first game of the preseason, Sanders threw two touchdown passes to Kaden Davis. He not only had a great passing performance but also ran for 19 yards.