Sanders fuels preseason ratings boost

An editorial take on how Shedeur Sanders preseason visibility drove strong ratings.

Sanders fuels preseason ratings boost

The Browns vs Panthers preseason game on Friday night drew an average of more than 2.2 million viewers on NFL Network, according to Yahoo Sports, reportedly the largest preseason audience on the network in a decade. Shedeur Sanders is listed day to day with an oblique injury, yet his popularity remains a talking point as broadcasters weigh the entertainment value alongside football fundamentals. The Browns have limited prime time exposure this season, with only one standalone game in Week 5 in London against the Vikings, leaving room for ratings to influence public perception.

The piece frames football as entertainment as well as sport, noting that Sanders appeal raises questions about whether star power should influence playing time. Even as the Browns chase on-field results, the preseason audience suggests the sport is increasingly a live audition for a broader audience and a marketing asset for the team.

The rising ratings show how the NFL now leans on personality and spectacle as much as performance. Teams must balance development with engagement, deciding how much emphasis to place on a player who can move the needle for viewers. The London game and global exposure test whether star power translates into lasting value or distorts roster decisions. In the long run, Cleveland will judge Sanders by what he does on the field, not just by how loud the crowd gets.

Yet there is a risk in chasing spectacle. If entertainment value pushes decisions more than development, the league could lose sight of long-term growth and player health. The Browns and other franchises will need to prove that hype can be converted into consistent contribution, not just click-worthy moments.

Highlights

The ratings arc will keep shaping how teams balance talent development with audience appeal.