The 2025 season has been a disaster for the Cleveland Browns. Through eight games, they are just 2-6 and stuck in the AFC North basement, a situation largely driven by poor quarterback play. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has struggled in his first four starts, leading fans to clamor for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders to get a shot.
While a switch seems inevitable, a key Browns insider has revealed just how much longer the team might wait before making that critical change.
When Could the Browns Turn to Shedeur Sanders?
From the moment the Cleveland Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, fans have been eager to see him take over as the starter. After a lengthy quarterback battle in training camp and the preseason, the Browns named veteran Joe Flacco as QB1, with Gabriel as the backup and Sanders as the third-string option.
However, following four underwhelming games from Flacco, Cleveland benched him and promoted Gabriel to the starting role. This move has not resolved the issue, as Gabriel has performed little better, ranking 35th among NFL quarterbacks this season, according to PFSN’s QBi metric.
With Gabriel’s continued struggles, the calls for Sanders have only grown louder. While fans hope to see Sanders start as soon as Cleveland’s Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot believes the organization plans to remain patient with Gabriel for now.
Cabot explained that the Browns likely want to give Gabriel more time to adjust to the NFL and develop before making another change. She noted that Cleveland will probably wait another four games or so before turning to Sanders. Ultimately, however, Gabriel will need to show significant improvement if he wants to keep his job.
“I think the Browns need to give Gabriel a little more time to come up the learning curve and develop more timing and rhythm with his skill players before they sit him down,” Cabot wrote.
She continued, “I would think they’d want to give him at least another four games or so before seeing what Shedeur Sanders can do down the stretch if he’s ready. But Gabriel must show improvement in the passing game and put some points on the board to keep his job.”
It makes sense that the Browns do not want to give up on Gabriel, whom they spent a third-round pick on, after only four games. Still, change is needed, as Cleveland’s offense currently ranks last in the league, according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. Sanders could provide the spark the team desperately needs.
The main question now is whether Cabot’s prediction is correct or if Sanders will earn the starting role sooner than expected.