The Browns have spent several weeks navigating uncertainty at quarterback, and the situation grew even more layered when a social media post from Dillon Gabriel‘s fiancee started circulating among fans.
Gabriel has been out since Week 11, when a concussion against the Ravens forced him off the field. Since then, the Browns have handed the offense to rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has been trying to settle in during a difficult stretch of games.
Sanders took over in relief during the Baltimore matchup, then earned his first professional win the following week against the Raiders.
His start against the 49ers in Week 13 went differently, and even before the dust fully settled from the 26-10 loss, Cleveland announced he would stay in the lineup for Week 14. That clarity didn’t prevent outside voices from weighing in.
Zo Caswell, Gabriel’s fiancée, posted a lighthearted TikTok video but added a caption that immediately attracted attention: “Browns lost, what’s new.”
The post eventually reached Cam Newton, who discussed it on his “4th&1” show. His advice came from the perspective of someone who has seen quarterback controversies swirl far too easily.
“I’m telling you bro, don’t make this about you, this is not about you,” Newton said. “And you can make it so tough on that individual by speaking your truth. Going back to rule number one, do not make this about you.
“[Rule 2] Wear your jersey. [Rule 3] Show your support. Rule number four, keep your mouth shut. Keep your thumbs to yourself. Matter of fact, keep your thumbs and your finger pointing to yourself. See, if you don’t got no thumbs or no fingerpointing, it’s hard to text, tweet, TikTok, all that.”
Newton never referenced Caswell by name, but the timing and message left little doubt about whom he had in mind.
A challenging night for Sanders, and more questions ahead
The broader issue underneath all this remains Cleveland‘s ongoing effort to evaluate Sanders in real time. Against the 49ers, he completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
He absorbed three sacks and finished with a passer rating of 93.6, a respectable number considering the defense he faced. It wasn’t the smooth outing he’d enjoyed in Week 12, but it also wasn’t the kind of collapse that typically sets off alarms.
Still, because the Browns are juggling injuries, expectations and long-term planning, everything around the position feels magnified, including what loved ones post online.
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