The Cleveland Browns host the LA Rams in their third preseason game this Saturday, and the quarterback rotation is already sparking debate. Kevin Stefanski released his depth chart earlier this week, placing veteran Joe Flacco at the top, rookie Dillon Gabriel as QB2, and Shedeur Sanders in the third spot.
That order surprised many, especially after Sanders impressed against the Panthers. Colin Cowherd voiced his confusion on The Herd, questioning why the highly-touted rookie was positioned behind Gabriel. But another guest on the show, former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, offered a different perspective.
Urban Meyer’s Take on the QB Situation
Meyer suggested the decision wasn’t necessarily about performance but about investment. Gabriel was selected in the third round of the draft, Sanders in the fifth. “The coach of the Browns said, ‘I want to pick this quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, in the third round, and then, by the way, Shedeur is still available. We’ll take him,'”Meyer told Cowherd.
According to Meyer, coaches often lean toward the player they attached their name to on draft day. “If it’s real close, they’re going to go with the guy they spent all the time evaluating and drafting,” Meyer said. Still, he noted that Sanders’ development could flip the order sooner than expected.
That viewpoint has been echoed locally. Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland hinted Sanders could see real action if Flacco falters, noting, “He’s the one who can win you games down the road.”
The Roster Crunch Ahead
Stefanski has already admitted keeping four quarterbacks is “unrealistic.” NFL rosters typically carry three, which means either Sanders, Gabriel, or Tyler Huntley could be on the bubble. The Rams game offers Sanders another chance to show growth-and potentially force a change in the pecking order.
With preseason winding down, the Browns face a balancing act:backing their draft pick or rewarding performance. If Sanders keeps building momentum, Stefanski’s original plan might not last long.
Read the full article here
