Shedeur Sanders Joins NFL Pro Bowl Roster After Stellar Rookie Season with Browns

Avery K. Bristow

Published: January 27, 2026 2:09 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders Joins NFL Pro Bowl Roster After Stellar Rookie Season with Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has made headlines by being selected to the NFL Pro Bowl after a challenging rookie season. He steps in as a replacement for the Super Bowl-bound quarterback Drake Maye.

Shedeur Sanders’ Rookie Performance

In his debut season, the 23-year-old Sanders recorded 1,400 passing yards, with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions. His record as a starter was 3-4, showcasing the ups and downs typical of a rookie quarterback.

Pro Bowl Selection

Sanders expressed his gratitude for the support from coaches, players, and fans. He stated, “Thank you God. I’m beyond excited and extremely grateful for all the love and support from the coaches, players, and fans. This wouldn’t be possible without the support behind me. Still plenty of work to do.”

Historical Significance

This nomination marks the first time a Browns quarterback has been named to the Pro Bowl since Derek Anderson’s selection in 2008. Sanders’ achievement is notable, although opinions on the merit of his selection are mixed.

Performance Context

Critics are questioning the validity of the Pro Bowl selection, citing Sanders’ low QBR of 18.9 and a passer rating of 68.1 as indicators of underwhelming performance. In comparison, fellow rookie and teammate Dillon Gabriel posted a QBR of 31.5 and a passer rating of 80.8 over ten games, with a more favorable touchdown-to-interception ratio of 7-to-2.

Shedeur Sanders: 1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs, 3-4 record
Dillon Gabriel: 31.5 QBR, 80.8 passer rating

Pro Bowl Details

The upcoming Pro Bowl is set for Tuesday, February 3, at 8 p.m. ET. This year, the event will feature a flag football contest between the AFC and NFC teams.

As his first season concludes, discussions around Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Bowl selection will continue, especially in light of the potential options that turned down the position. Regardless of the controversy, his achievement adds a chapter to the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback history.