Shedeur Sanders to Get Start in Tonight’s Browns Preseason Opener

As the Browns gear up for their first preseason game, the team has made a clear decision on who will take the first snap at quarterback: rookie Shedeur Sanders. Head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed ahead of the joint practice with the Panthers that Sanders will get the nod to start on August 8, marking a significant milestone for the young quarterback in his rookie season.

“He’s excited,” Stefanski said of Sanders. “And he knew he was going to play a good bit in these preseason games.” Despite Sanders having taken the fewest reps with the starting offense so far during training camp, a combination of circumstances has opened the door for him to see early game action. Both Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel are sidelined with hamstring injuries, while veteran Joe Flacco, at 40 years old, has received the majority of reps with the first-team offense.

Cleveland’s preseason slate includes three games—opening against the Panthers, followed by matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams in mid to late August. These games will serve as crucial opportunities for the Browns to evaluate their roster ahead of the regular-season kickoff at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7. With Sanders set to take the field first, the Browns are clearly signaling their interest in seeing what he can do at the NFL level.