Amid injuries to Pickett & Gabriel, rookie Shedeur Sanders will start for the Browns vs. Panthers on Aug 7. Is it a setup? RGIII thinks so. Read more.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought Browns training camp was settling into a rhythm, the quarterback room exploded with drama. On Thursday, the team announced that fourth-string rookie Shedeur Sanders will start the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, a stunning move forced by injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. The bombshell news was immediately followed by a social media firestorm, as former QB Robert Griffin III accused the Browns of 'sabotaging' the rookie by throwing him into the fire with limited first-team reps.
He's being set up to fail.
Let's be clear: Shedeur Sanders is only starting because he has to. With Joe Flacco being bubble-wrapped for the regular season, Kenny Pickett nursing a hamstring, and Dillon Gabriel also sidelined, Sanders is the last man standing. But is RGIII right? Is this sabotage? While the optics aren't great, Sanders has been lights out in camp, completing 49 of 70 passes for 6 touchdowns and, most impressively, zero interceptions through nine practices. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and OC Tommy Rees praised his poise, but camp is one thing and live game action is another. This is a massive test for the rookie, who now has the entire NFL world watching to see if he sinks or swims under the brightest of lights.
Beyond the quarterback drama, the Browns and Panthers wrapped up a productive joint practice in Charlotte. Coaches emphasized building a positive culture and competitive fire, and by all accounts, the sessions were spirited but professional. The practice gave the coaching staff a final, crucial look at players in contested situations before the game. Unfortunately, the team will be without a few key offensive weapons tomorrow night, as both Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman have been ruled out, joining Pickett on the sidelines. Their absence will create more opportunities for younger receivers to make their case.
While all eyes are on the quarterback position, several intense roster battles are flying under the radar, particularly on special teams. With preseason games officially beginning, the competition for kicker, punter, and return specialist roles is about to hit a new gear. Coaches have stated that performance in these exhibition games will weigh heavily on who makes the final 53-man roster. For a handful of players on the bubble, their entire season could come down to one big kick or one shifty punt return against the Panthers.
All the talk, stats, and social media drama will fade away when the whistle blows tomorrow night in Carolina. The real story will be written on the field. Will Shedeur Sanders seize this unexpected opportunity and prove the doubters wrong? Or will the pressure cooker of an NFL preseason debut be too much? We'll be watching every snap, analyzing every throw, and breaking down which players stepped up in the first real test of the 2025 season.
