The Cleveland Browns may choose to trade Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel once the 2025 season comes to a close, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Per Jones, “some league sources have wondered” if the Browns will attempt to trade Sanders or Gabriel with veteran passer Deshaun Watson’s contract considered to be “unmovable.”
Cleveland selected Gabriel and Sanders with a third-round pick and a fifth-round choice in the 2025 NFL draft, respectively.
Both rookie signal-callers failed to beat out veteran Joe Flacco for the Browns’ starting job in training camp, but Flacco was eventually benched in favor of Gabriel after four appearances.
The former Oregon standout went on to start the next six games for Cleveland, completing 58.9 percent of his throws for 918 yards and six touchdowns compared to two interceptions.
Gabriel was eventually forced to exit the Browns’ 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 due to a concussion, resulting in Sanders becoming the team’s new starter.
Sanders finished just 4-of-16 for 47 yards while filling in against Baltimore, but has looked more comfortable as Cleveland’s full-time starter.
He’s completed 60.0 percent of his passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns while getting picked off once in two starts. The Browns own a 1-1 record with Sanders under center.
Although Gabriel has since cleared concussion protocol, Sanders remains Cleveland’s starter.
If the Browns view one of the first-year passers as their future at quarterback by the end of the season, it makes sense for them to gauge the trade market for the other signal-caller.
Cleveland could also target a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL draft, as the team is currently projected to receive the No. 5 overall pick with its 3-9 record.