Shedeur Sanders Becomes First Player in a Decade to Draw NFL Network’s Largest Preseason Audience
Shedeur Sanders’ first game in the NFL drew massive attention. The Cleveland Browns quarterback attracted an average of 2.2 million viewers for his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers. According to Yahoo Sports and NFL Network, this was the most-watched preseason game on NFL Network in 10 years.
The impressive audience made Sanders the first player in a decade to reach that milestone. His strong debut added excitement to the buzz surrounding him since the NFL Draft.
Sanders delivers strong performance on the fieldDuring the matchup, Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards. He threw two touchdowns, recorded zero interceptions, and added 19 rushing yards. His poised performance gave Browns fans plenty of hope for the future.
Analysts now call him one of the most intriguing players towatch this season. The blend of his accuracy and mobility has already set high expectations.
A setback before the next gameDespite the remarkable debut, Sanders may not play in the Browns’ next preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He suffered an oblique strain during practice. Team officials, however, expect him to return for the Browns’ final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 23.
The injury has not lowered excitement around him. Fans remain eager to see more of his talent in action once he returns to the field.
Sanders’ journey to the NFL was far from ordinary. In April, he was the target of a cruel prank during the draft process. A caller pretended to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, telling him the team would select him. The call was fake and left Sanders confused.
The moment was captured by Well Off Media, run by his brother Deion Sanders Jr. Despite the setback, Sanders was eventually picked by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the144th overall pick.
A legacy rooted in football excellenceShedeur is the son of Colorado head coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. His debut not only added to his personal achievements but also continued his family’s rich football legacy. Surrounded by family and friends during draft week, he embraced both the challenges and the spotlight.
As one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in the league, Sanders has already proven he can draw both attention and results.
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