Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders turned an unexpected start into a statement on Friday night, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Browns beat the Carolina Panthers 30–10 in their preseason opener in Charlotte. Sanders, 23, added 19 rushing yards and posted a 106.8 passer rating while directing nine possessions before giving way to recent signee Tyler Huntley. The fifth-round draft pick opened the game because veterans Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson were held out and backups Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are nursing hamstring injuries. Despite having taken no practice snaps with the first team, Sanders’ performance sharpened an already fluid quarterback picture in Cleveland. Head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated that the job remains an “open” competition but declined to say whether Sanders will receive first-team reps going forward. Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, slipped from a projected first-round selection to Day 3 in April’s draft. His efficient debut, which drew praise from high-profile observers including NBA star LeBron James, now puts fresh scrutiny on the Browns’ depth chart with two preseason games left.