An NFL career is not made by a single pre-season victory.  After Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdowns in the Cleveland Browns' victory over the Carolina Panthers last night, BetMGM is one sportsbook that isn't jumping on the bandwagon.

In the first half, two touchdowns

Sanders deserves recognition.  In Wednesday night's 30-10 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sanders made his NFL quarterback debut, going 14-for-23 for 138 yards and two touchdown passes to Kaden Davis in the first half.

From the Panthers' 11-yard line, he made a precise dart to Davis for his first touchdown.

The son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Sanders was a highly regarded draft prospect but has also generated controversy, mostly due to stories about his character, actions, and alleged privilege.

A sharp decline in the NFL Draft

In April's NFL draft, Sanders was predicted to be selected in the top three, but he fell all the way to the fifth round, where the Browns selected him.

Although Sanders was playing against the Panthers' second team, the Browns now rank him fourth on the quarterback depth chart, behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel. However, following last night's performance, that could change.

“When I get out there it’s just doing what I gotta do,” he told Associated Press. “Everything else is not in my hands, so I don’t worry about it. I just don’t think that deep into everything because it’s nothing you’re gonna be able to control. So why put energy in something that you can’t control?”

LeBron Participates in the Hoopla

During last night's game, NBA star LeBron James joined in on the excitement by posting on X:

“That young (man) looking good out there! Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.”

Without a question, Sanders makes headlines.  After the game, he even had something to say to a Cleveland radio personality who had previously criticized the NFL rookie.

"Oddsmakers at BetMGM remain unimpressed, however. As John Ewing from BetMGM posted on X today, “Shedeur Sanders’ odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, +3000 yesterday, +3000 today.”

The Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty has the lowest odds, at +260, while Sanders is +4000 at ESPN Bet.  At FanDuel, Sanders is +5000, while Jeanty is +250.

What is the story's lesson?  Pre-season is just that—pre-season.