Shedeur Sanders lands in the Pro Bowl, etching his name in Cleveland Browns history after an up-and-down rookie campaign
Eight appearances were all Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders needed to make a name for himself in the NFL.
The fifth-round pick is headed to his first-ever Pro Bowl as Yahoo's Jordan Schultz was first to report.
Sanders was not initially named as one of the Browns Pro Bowl nominees or alternates, but finds himself on the roster after several players bowed out of competing in the NFL's annual all-star weekend.
MVP candidate Drake Maye is also unable to attend after leading the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl this past weekend, which also paved the way for Sanders to be the league's choice to participate.
Reigning MVP Josh Allen and Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert joined Maye as the trio of AFC QBs initially named to the Pro Bowl games.
The Browns only had two players recognized as Pro Bowl as starters in defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward. Veteran safety Grant Delpit (special teamer), and three rookies in tight end Harold Fannin Jr., running back Quinshon Judkins, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger were selected as alternates.
Now Sanders will join the list. He's the first Browns QB to make a Pro Bowl since Derek Anderson in 2008. He also became the first fifth-round rookie to make a Pro Bowl since Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua was voted to the event in 2023.
Across seven starts and one half filling in at quarterback for Cleveland, Sanders completed 120-of-212 passes (56.6%) for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The Colorado product also rushed for 169 yards and an additional touchdown. He finished tied for seventh in interceptions thrown this season, with only 10 players having more picks than him, including Las Vegas Raiders veteran Geno Smith, who tossed 17. Among QBs who played in six or more games, only former Browns QB Jameis Winston finished with a lower competition percentage than Sanders.
Fans who want to watch Sanders participate in the Pro Bowl games can tune in via ESPN when the events get started over the weekend. The games culminate with a flag football match on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. during Super Bowl week.