Following the Browns’ joint practice with the Panthers on Wednesday, defensive end Myles Garrett had some great things to say about rookie Shedeur Sanders. “He takes it seriously,” Garrett said about his teammate, while also emphasizing how the young quarterback sought his opinion on the defense’s mentality. “So, looking forward to see him on these preseason games and how he manages the offense.”

And on Friday night, when the QB made his professional debut against the Panthers, his first pass sailed high. Though the first three series produced more misses than hits, Carolina’s turnover led to a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Davis (from Sanders) on the first play of the second quarter. Later, the rookie QB also finished an efficient drive with a beautiful touchdown toss once again to Davis. All in all, Shedeur Sanders directed his team for ten series; Three of them ended in touchdowns.

“I felt like me out there,” Sanders said, but also confessed that he didn’t play to his fullest potential. Myles Garrett, who sat out the game, would agree with that. During a mid-game interview, he opined: “I think it was a great first half. It wasn’t perfect, the team settled in, getting comfortable in the pocket, but more than my evaluation, it’s Kevin’s that matters more than anything.” Garrett isn’t wrong. Hurried throws, timing routes that begged for just a tick quicker release, and stretches where Shedeur Sanders was hunting for rhythm instead of dictating it, were evident.

Regardless, Sanders completed 61% of his passes for 138 passing yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ 30-10 win. In three quarters, he took two sacks while not turning over the ball once. While it was a great opportunity for Sanders to showcase his talents, the Browns’ quarterback plans are still evolving.

Veteran Joe Flacco remains the QB1 favorite. And with most starters sitting out the preseason opener and QBs Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel dealing with injury issues, HC Kevin Stefanski had to depend on Sanders on Friday. So what did the coach say about his rookie’s performance?

Well, Stefanski was “pleased with Shedeur, pleased with the offense,” but also found some holes that they intend to fill before the regular season. On the other hand, what is going on with Garrett?

Myles Garrett’s big-money extension doesn’t change anything

The Browns locking Garrett down with that big four-year, $40 million-a-year deal ($160 million) was a message to the whole locker room: Cleveland is all in on winning, and they want their vets to take the lead. But Garrett isn’t fazed. He has been super clear that the big payday hasn’t shifted his focus one bit. “No, I don’t think the contract has motivated me in any different way… I’m just trying to be as effective as I can be as a player and as a person,” he said in the same interview.

And that’s been his stance since the very beginning. When Garrett talked to the media in March after signing, he didn’t stop hammering home the same message: “It’s never been about money. It’s always been about winning. And that’s where my frustration lies.” He made it clear that just because he got a big extension doesn’t mean the team will accept sloppy play from the young guys or let standards slide when it comes to his own game. If anything, that big contract raises the stakes. He knows that he is paid to make the team better, and rookies have to prove quickly that they can help the team win. And if he thinks something isn’t up to the standard? He will call it out.

Shedeur Sanders, too, kept it real after the game. He was thankful for the win but honest about where he needs to improve. “I feel like to get where I want to go, I don’t think that was good enough,” he shared. Well, that’s enough to know that the rookie is moving in the right direction. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.