The Cleveland Browns’ 26-8 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers was a reality check for Shedeur Sanders. San Francisco is a serious contender with Super Bowl aspirations, a stark contrast to the struggling Raiders the Browns faced in the previous week. In the loss, Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown in his first home start.
Despite the modest numbers, Coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Sanders will get a third consecutive start next Sunday against the worst team in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans. The upcoming game will still be entertaining, as it pits two eliminated teams against each other and features a matchup between two friends and rival rookie quarterbacks: first-overall pick Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, both of whom were projected months ago as the top quarterbacks in this draft class.
Gabriel’s Fiancée Alleges Front Office Push for a QB Change
This upcoming game marks the first week Stefanski has chosen Sanders over Dillon Gabriel when both quarterbacks are fully healthy and available. Sanders’ first start was due to Gabriel suffering a concussion, and his second was when Gabriel was still recovering.
Now, someone who believes the next game could be Sanders’ last is Zoe Caswell, Gabriel’s fiancée. She claimed on TikTok that those within the Browns’ front office want to see Gabriel back under center rather than Shedeur Sanders, stating: “Actually everyone in the building wants him (Gabriel) to play.” Given the Browns’ current situation and Caswell’s proximity to the team, these comments undoubtedly reflect poorly on Gabriel and suggest he might have voiced similar sentiments, though that remains unproven.
While everyone is free to express themselves, one must be mindful of the consequences when commenting on sensitive team matters that could negatively affect the relationship between Sanders and Gabriel, who are teammates and interact daily.
The reality is that Browns fans seem more content with Shedeur, whose confidence is contagious and who could potentially be a better long-term answer than Gabriel at the position where the Browns have historically struggled more than any other team. Ultimately, the decision rests with the front office and Coach Stefanski, who was noncommittal when asked if Sanders would start for the remainder of the season, simply saying after the game: “I know there’s plays he wants back, but we’ll look at it and correct them.”
Sanders Must Prove Himself Against the Titans to Keep Starting Job
The starting job is up for grabs for the rest of the season. If Shedeur wins against the Titans, he will likely continue as the starter. However, if he plays poorly against the league’s worst team, Stefanski might return to Gabriel for the Week 15 game against Chicago.
The pressure is now on Sanders to perform or lose the job. He will hardly face a defense as complicated as the 49ers’ again this year. After Tennessee, the Browns play the Bears, Bills, Steelers, and Bengals, defenses that are not terrible, but also not consistently excellent.
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