The beginning of Shedeur Sanders' NFL debut in the Browns' preseason opener has had its ups and downs. He's a rookie after all, and there's plenty of stuff to clean up. But after a few hiccups, Sanders and the Browns' offense took advantage of a Panthers turnover and put the ball in the endzone.
On the TD toss, the former Colorado legendary QB showed off the pinpoint accuracy he was known for during his collegiate career. He fit a ball in a tight window while rolling to his left, in between two Panthers defenders, for a seven-yard touchdown to Kaden Davis.
It was a gusty throw, especially for a rookie, and one most veterans probably wouldn't have even dared to attempt. But Sanders saw it, trusted his ability, and delivered a strike for six points.
Shedeur Sanders finds Kaden Davis for the TD!
— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2025
CLEvsCAR on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uH5pxPho5h
Shedeur Sanders' first career NFL touchdown pass flashes what can make him special
The biggest reason NFL Draft experts believed Sanders was a first-round talent is his unbelievable accuracy. He completed a video-game worthy 74.0% of his passes for the Buffaloes last season despite having to throw the ball 477 times because Colorado had the least productive rushing offense in the FBS last season.
He can fit the ball into tight windows, and even better, he has the confidence to do so. As a rookie, he could have easily been forgiven, while rolling to his left and avoiding the Carolina pass rush, if he never saw Davis in the back of the endzone. Plenty of veterans would have missed it and probably lobbed it out of the back of the endzone. Nobody would have been the wiser.
Instead, it took just a few drives for Sanders to show why he is a special talent, regardless of where he was ultimately drafted. He's had a strong Training Camp with the Browns and is getting a terrific opportunity in Cleveland's preseason opener, even if it isn't under ideal circumstances.
So far, the former Colorado superstar is making the most of his opportunity.