Shedeur Sanders entered the Browns’ camp with momentum, flashy performances in rookie minicamp, smooth accuracy in practices, and even a strong debut against the Panthers. But momentum alone wasn’t enough.
Insider reporting reveals that head coach Kevin Stefanski ultimately favored Dillon Gabriel, not for raw talent, but for reliability. In Stefanksi’s system, doing exactly what you’re told in the moment took precedence, leaving Sanders relegated to third string emergency duty.
Sanders’s performance gone astray
Sanders’s hype train began with explosive preseason action, he threw over 400 yards and five touchdowns in consecutive minicamp days and posted a near-perfect completion rate during training camp. His early performance painted him as an emerging star.
But as the preseason wore on, his production faltered: he completed just 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards with two TDs, and then stunted further in the finale, finishing 3 of 6 for just 14 yards against the Rams. In contrast, Dillon Gabriel delivered steady drives that aligned with Stefanski’s offensive game plan.
Gabriel wins by being predictable
An inside source, citing the Browns’ talk radio analyst Ken Carman, revealed the true deciding factor: when Gabriel is asked to execute under pressure, he delivers and without question. Carman noted:
Ife he has to go in early…he will do exactly as Kevin says. The knowledge of the offense is there
That compliance outweighed Sanders’ potential, especially in the eyes of a coach who values consistency and system mastery. Sanders while talented, was viewed as a risk who might deviate, Gabriel, the safer choice, became the backstop.
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