The Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback room has been quite the topic since the offseason. After bringing in Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, the Browns selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders fairly close together in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gabriel found his way to the field after an underwhelming start from Flacco to begin the season, and Pickett’s trade to the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Sanders is still waiting for his NFL debut. After going 1-3 during Gabriel’s stint, did the former Colorado star hint that it should be his time to hit the field?
Did Browns Shedeur Sanders Call for Fellow Teammate Dillon Gabriel’s Benching?
While the offense hasn’t looked as stagnant with Gabriel under center as it did during Flacco’s stead, both signal callers have the same record during their four-week run, 1-3. Cleveland also ranks 32nd in PFSN’s Offense Impact rating.
While the Browns cruised to a 31-6 win in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins under Gabriel’s watch, the rookie didn’t do much to contribute to the win outside of keeping the ball out of harm’s way, completing 13 of 18 passes for 116 yards.
The same could not be said in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. While Gabriel threw two touchdowns, they were the game’s only points, and he threw two interceptions as the Browns lost 32-13. After the tough outing, it seems Sanders may have inadvertently hinted he thinks it’s time for him to get a chance.
Cleveland reporter Brad Stainbrook shared on X, “Browns QB Shedeur Sanders liked my Instagram post where I called for the team to start the former Colorado quarterback following the bye week.”
#Browns QB Shedeur Sanders liked my Instagram post where I called for the team to start the former Colorado quarterback following the bye week. pic.twitter.com/Y2YxBL6Euz
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) October 28, 2025
When reading Stainbrook’s post on Instagram, he wrote, “I’ve seen enough of Dillon Gabriel. It’s time for the Browns to start getting Shedeur Sanders ready after the bye week. Give him two weeks to take time, settle in, and make his first NFL start.
He continued, “You didn’t draft him to sit forever…and this offense needs a spark. Gabriel’s had his shot, and the team feels flat. Let the rookie learn on the fly, make mistakes, and grow. There’s no better time to see what you’ve got in Shedeur.”
What’s interesting is that Stainbrook is willing to let Sanders, a rookie, learn on the fly, make mistakes, and grow, while not allowing Gabriel, also a rookie, the chance to do the same thing. Based on what he is saying, the Browns should take his train of thought, but still allow Gabriel to start, as they used the 94th overall pick to select him compared to the 144th overall pick to choose Sanders.
MORE:Â Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Offers Blunt Response to Question About Shedeur Sanders Starting
Additionally, while the offense has been nothing to write home about, Gabriel has looked fine through four starts, completing 59.9% of his passes for 702 yards, five touchdowns, and those two interceptions from a tough matchup against the Patriots. While Stainbrook and Sanders may think it’s time for the former Colorado quarterback to get his shot, Gabriel still deserves a fair chance.
