The Cleveland Browns are currently in the middle of another disappointing season. Entering Week 10, the team is sitting at the bottom of the AFC North with a 2-6 record. Much of the team’s struggles can be blamed on the offense, and specifically, the quarterback position.
Veteran Joe Flacco began the season as the starter, but the team shipped him to the Cincinnati Bengals last month. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has taken over as the starter, but the results haven’t been promising. Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders has yet to get his shot, and Browns insider Tony Grossi is beginning to wonder if Sanders even wants to play.
Why Has Sanders Not Taken Over as the Starter?
Gabriel is 1-3 as the starter so far. The quarterback is averaging just 117 passing yards per game, and only two teams are averaging fewer points per game than the Browns in 2025. PFSN’s QB Impact ranking gives Gabriel a 52.3 grade, which is the second-worst mark among all qualified passers.
It seems like an obvious option would be to see what Sanders can do. However, Sanders is currently dealing with a back injury and has been limited in practice. Grossi, while appearing on ESPN Cleveland’s “The Really Big Show” on Wednesday, is curious how Sanders keeps getting injured without taking snaps.
Grossi mentioned that Sanders has been reported to have had three separate injuries this season: a sore arm, a shoulder injury, and now a back injury.
“The mystery to me is, how could he have three different injuries without even taking No. 1 reps all year long,” Grossi said. “So, now I’m wondering… Does he want to play?”
Show host Tony Rizzo agreed with Grossi’s analysis.
“I’ll say it for you,” Rizzo declared. “Either these are made-up injuries, or someone doesn’t want him to play, or he doesn’t want to play.”
Those are bold claims, but there certainly doesn’t seem to be an on-field reason why Sanders isn’t playing. The Colorado product performed well in the preseason, completing 17-of-29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. With the playoffs out of the picture, there would seemingly be no downside to seeing what Sanders can do.
Sanders was ruled out of the Browns’ last game due to injury, and Bailey Zappe took over as the backup quarterback. Head coach Kevin Stefanski recently said that Sanders’ health is “getting better,” but it remains to be seen if he will suit up for the Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets.
Until Sanders gets on the field, speculation will continue to run wild.