The Cleveland Browns come out of their Week 9 bye with as many questions at quarterback (if not more) than any team in the NFL.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started six games this season, completing 59.9% of his passes for 702 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, posting a lowly 26.8 QBR (second-worst in the league).
Meanwhile, rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has yet to play a regular-season snap.
On Monday, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo and Chris Oldach debated the Browns’ (mis)handling of the Gabriel-Sanders situation as Cleveland prepares for its Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets.
“Let me ask you a question,” Rizzo said. “Gabriel looks bad. They make a change at half. They come out in the third quarter. What are you expecting from Shedeur? Good, great, bad, in between?”
“Average,” Oldach replied. “Because for him, you just laid it out. He hasn’t gotten any reps with these guys. There’s no continuity. There’s no timing.”
Rizzo pushed back: “And it’s so easy for them to say, ‘See? Told you he’s no better than Gabriel.’ Well, you guys prepared Gabriel a lot differently than you prepared Shedeur Sanders.”
Oldach countered, “I’d also expect Shedeur to hit open receivers.”
Another voice on the show added, “Some guys rise above circumstances.”
“That’s what I think is going to happen,” Rizzo said.
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While Gabriel hasn’t singlehandedly lost the Browns any games, his modest production, inefficiency, and lack of explosive plays have, in part, led Cleveland to a 2-6 start.
Gabriel’s latest 32-13 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8 didn’t help matters either, throwing for 156 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 21 of 35 passing as the offense was shut out in the second half, intensifying talks about the need for a potential QB change.
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Despite having played zero snaps so far this season, Sanders’ college resume remains elite: a 2024 season that included Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and a 74% completion rate (No. 1 in the Big 12).
Sanders also impressed in the preseason, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his Browns debut (a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers), but minor injuries (oblique in preseason, later back tightness) have complicated any immediate movement up the depth chart.
Additionally, as the NFL trade deadline approaches (4 p.m. ET, Nov. 4), questions have arisen about whether Cleveland should consider flipping Sanders for draft capital or a position of need (wide receiver, left tackle, etc.).
With the trade market wide open right now, expect persistent rumors but also concrete clarity, either with a roster move, promotion of Sanders to QB1, or a continued (and highly scrutinized) commitment to Gabriel.