Shedeur Sanders’ first taste of playing football in front of Cleveland’s ‘Dawg Pound’ didn’t go as well as he would’ve liked.
After a stellar preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, Sanders took the field at First Energy Stadium for the first time on Saturday. He looked out of sorts and far from the player he was in college at Colorado.
Instead of a pinpoint pass or speedy scramble, his viral moment came early in the fourth quarter when Sanders tried to extend a play only to take a 24 yard sack on 2nd and 12.
The young quarterback faced pressure off the edge and kept backpedaling until he ran out of time and was taken down by a gaggle of Rams defenders. The error came just a couple quarters after Browns’ quarterback coach Bill Musgrave called out Joe Flacco in a mid-game interview for taking a sack of his own.
Fans and analysts quickly took to social media to react to the young quarterback’s fatal mistake. The reception was less than positive.
Social media reactions to Shedeur Sanders 24 yard sack
Chase Daniel, a 12-year NFL quarterback, commented on Sanders pocket awareness while also acknowledging the offensive line’s role in the debacle.
Protection hasn’t been great, but Shedeur Sanders has to get rid of the football.
He’s drifting like crazy in the pocket
pic.twitter.com/aI4CxUkOrq— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 23, 2025
Others commented on how long he held on to the ball during the play. For reference, the average time an NFL quarterback holds on to the ball is between 2.5 and 3 seconds.
As a former NFL Scout, I put a stopwatch to this.
Shedeur Sanders held the ball on this sack for 8.36 seconds. pic.twitter.com/Sa28bid9c5
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) August 23, 2025
Some accounts pointed to Sanders’ performance as evidence to why he’s at the bottom of the Browns’ depth chart at quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders keeps taking sacks.
This is why hes a 4th string quarterback at this point
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) August 23, 2025
The long sack wasn’t the only lowlight of the day for Sanders. His first three drives had nine plays for two yards, two sacks, and one fumble. He ended the day 3/6 passing for 14 yards with five sacks taken.
It only makes things worse comparing Sanders with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel who went 12/19 for 129 yards and a touchdown.
Some fans will argue that the level of performance is tied to the other 10 guys on the field but it still wasn’t a redeemable showing from the former Colorado Buffalo.
Now with the preseason wrapped up, Sanders will have to hope what he’s shown in practice will be enough to make the final roster.
Shedeur Sanders in the Browns’ final preseason game:
◽️ 3/6 C/ATT
◽️ 14 yards
◽️ 41 yards lost on 5 sacks pic.twitter.com/3m0YNh0Qej— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 23, 2025
MORE: Shedeur Sanders live stats, updates, highlights from Browns vs. Rams preseason game
