The Cleveland Browns have officially announced Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback for the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, marking a significant moment in his career. This opportunity has arisen partly due to injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, as well as veteran Joe Flacco being expected to see limited snaps.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has steadily impressed during training camp with sharp mechanics, quick decisions, and composure, positioning himself as a promising young talent for the Browns’ future.
Experts Draw Parallels Between Sanders and Russell Wilson’s 2012 Preseason Rise
NFL analyst Peter Schrager compared Sanders’ situation to Russell Wilson’s iconic preseason breakout in 2012, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on this chance. Wilson entered that season as a later-round pick and outshone veteran competitors to seize the Seahawks’ starting role.
Watching Russell Wilson in 2012, absolutely light up training camp and then going to the preseason game against the Cowboys and being the best player on the field. Being so good that he was undeniable to that coaching staff that they had to start Russ, who was a day two pick over Matt Flynn… because he won the job,
Schrager said.
So, Shedeur…go win the job! You’re on national TV, go and light it up.
—Peter Schrager, NFL Network Analyst
CBS Analyst Highlights Sanders’ Chance to Mirror Wilson’s Unexpected Ascendancy
CBS analyst Emory Hunt reinforced the comparison, recalling how Wilson’s preseason dominance compelled the Seahawks to start him despite a high-profile veteran contract on the roster. Hunt underscored Sanders’ edge over fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel during camp but stressed that performance on the field during preseason games is what truly counts.
We saw this back in 2012 with Russell Wilson. Remember, they had just signed Matt Flynn with a bunch of money, and next thing you know, Russell Wilson, third-round, short guy out of Wisconsin, comes… and makes it undeniable in the preseason game, so where the team was like, ‘Yo, this is the guy. I don’t care, we pay this guy his money, he needs to start.’ So, this is why this is an opportunity for Shedeur,
Hunt said.
In order to change the minds of the coaching staff,
Hunt added,
he must have ‘the greatest preseason game in football history.’
—Emory Hunt, CBS Analyst
Preseason Performance Could Be Decisive for Sanders’ Role with Browns
Sanders’ 2025 preseason opportunity offers a chance to step into the Browns’ spotlight in a way few fifth-round picks do. His camp progress and comparisons to Wilson’s breakthrough inject hope and excitement around his potential. However, the pressure is clear—the next game represents a crucial proving ground for Sanders to establish himself as the team’s starting quarterback moving forward.
If he can deliver under this pressure and capture the attention of Cleveland’s coaching staff, Sanders could define his career trajectory early and become a central figure in the Browns’ offense as the season unfolds.