The Cleveland Browns entered their Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens needing a win after dropping five of their last six games. They didn’t get one, but the biggest story wasn’t the loss itself. Instead, it was the unexpected NFL debut of rookie Shedeur Sanders after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. This turn of events has sparked a debate about who should lead the team as we advance.
Will Shedeur Sanders Remain the Browns’ Starter?
On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski was predictably asked about the quarterback plan for Week 12. He confirmed that Gabriel would have to clear the league’s concussion protocol to be eligible to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.
If Gabriel isn’t ready, Sanders will get the start, but Stefanski refused to commit to a long-term starter.
“I’m not going to speculate on that type of thing,” Stefanski said, per Browns insider Tony Grossi. “I know this, we trust our players and we’re just solely focused on the next game.”
Kevin Stefanski on QB future beyond Raiders game: ‘I’m not going to speculate on that type of thing. I know this, we trust our players and we’re just solely focused on the next game.’
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) November 17, 2025
The situation is complicated by the fact that neither quarterback has been particularly effective. In his debut, Sanders completed just four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. That performance came as the Browns lost 23-16, with the rookie unable to lead a game-winning drive.
This followed a season of struggles for Gabriel, who has also been inefficient. According to PFSN’s QB Impact ranking, Gabriel’s 50.6 grade for the 2025 season is the second-worst among all qualified passers.
So far this season, Gabriel has thrown for 937 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 59.2% of his passes. These struggles have contributed to the Browns’ 2-8 record, which has them sitting at the bottom of the AFC North. With the playoffs seemingly out of reach, it would not be surprising to see the team give the rookie an extended look to see what he can do.
A strong showing in Week 12 against the Raiders could be enough for Sanders to secure the starting role for the rest of the season. The schedule provides a good opportunity for a young quarterback to find his footing, with two of the Browns’ next three games coming against the Raiders and the Tennessee Titans.
If neither Sanders nor Gabriel shows significant improvement over the final stretch, the front office’s attention will likely turn to the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland is in a solid position to address the position, as the team holds its own first-round pick in addition to a first-rounder acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
