The Cleveland Browns were the kings of the preseason, but not because of what they projected for 2025, which looks the same or worse than what they showed in 2024. It was because of the quarterback situation, which up to this point has been a complete disaster. Right now, Shedeur Sanders-who at one time was the fourth option-will be the starter against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Browns first traded for Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles, who was later traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. He was unable to play even one preseason game due to injuries. Before the Draft, they ended up signing Joe Flacco, who became the starter, and now he’s not even on the team anymore: he is with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Flacco lost the starting job at the end of Week 4. The following week, Dillon Gabriel led the Browns’ offense, and he did so in disastrous fashion. However, the only reason he left the field was because of a concussion protocol in the previous game against the Ravens. After all this, Shedeur Sanders will have his big opportunity this Sunday, where he has a lot to prove.
Can Shedeur Sanders change the Cleveland Browns’ offense?
Dillon Gabriel left a 1-5 record as a starter, and the one victory he has was not really due to his play, but rather thanks to the running game and defense in a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The quarterback has truly looked bad: in only one of his six starts has he surpassed 200 passing yards, and he has not elevated any of his teammates.
Rafael Zamorano from ON SI analyzed what several analysts think about Dillon Gabriel, and one of the strongest opinions came from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, who was tough on the former Oregon Ducks quarterback: “Gabriel’s arm is not atrocious. By NFL standards, it’ll be average on a good day, and slightly below average on a bad one. There aren’t many times on film when he displayed the ability to really drive the ball through a closing window or stretch a defense vertically more than 25 yards.”
And that has been the case: Dillon Gabriel has not been vertical at all, even though Kevin Stefanski never lost confidence in his quarterback. The opportunity has now come for Shedeur Sanders after Gabriel entered concussion protocol. However, a strong performance from Deion Sanders’ son could make the Cleveland Browns head coach change his mind.
Shedeur Sanders will become the 42nd starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns since 1999. Because of situations like this-where they have not found a quarterback capable of transforming the franchise-the Browns have only reached the playoffs four times since that year. Well, they did have one, but they ended up discarding Baker Mayfield: they should regret that.
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