Shedeur Sanders is ready to make his debut in the NFL this Friday night, and his Cleveland Browns teammates are eager to see how the rookie quarterback performs. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that Sanders will be starting against the Carolina Panthers. With veterans like Joe Flacco and others resting or injured, Sanders, a fifth-round pick from Colorado, is expected to take the majority of the snaps.

Sanders was previously ranked fourth on the Browns’ depth chart but now has a chance to prove his skills this preseason. According to Joe Flacco, “It’ll be interesting. We’ll all be sitting there watching and excited for football to be real. I remember my first time in the NFL. Although I only played the last two minutes, it’s something he’s going to remember forever.”

Tyler Huntley, who rejoined the Browns recently, will back up Sanders as he takes the field.

Flacco emphasized the significant nature of a first preseason appearance, saying, “Most of us have dreamed about this moment since we were kids. Even though it’s a preseason game, we’ll be enjoying it from the sidelines or at home.”

Sanders had an impressive college career, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns last season at Colorado. Now, he has an opportunity to showcase that talent in the NFL, even if it’s just a glimpse.

His teammates, including Myles Garrett, have noted Sanders’ determination during training camp, with Garrett commenting, “He’s funny, optimistic, hardworking, and takes his craft seriously. We’re excited to see how he manages the offense in these games.”

While the pressure isn’t on him to secure a starting position just yet, this debut will be an important moment demonstrating growth and leadership potential for the upcoming season.