Dillon Gabriel

Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Dillon Gabriel are having their practice reps taken by Watson. Jones believes it is "quite possible, if not likely," Cleveland carries Watson on their 2026 roster as part of a quarterback competition -- another huge four-quarterback battle is possible if one of Sanders or Gabriel is not traded. Jones goes on to call the Watson contract "unmovable" while noting that the Browns have two first-round picks and could trade up for another quarterback prospect in this year's draft. The ol' nothing is settled, but nothing is settled gambit. Watson has a realistic chance of actually playing next year, but whether he'll be able to outperform Gabriel and Sanders after tearing his Achilles and playing horrible football for the Browns in 2023 is anyone's guess.

Schefter goes on to say, "But much of that decision will be dictated by how Sanders plays, starting Sunday." Basically, the Browns want to see more of Sanders, unless he struggles. Then they reserve the right to pull the plug at any moment. Sanders made his first start last week, throwing for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Dillon Gabriel has already proven not to be the team's quarterback of the future. There is no reason not to let Sanders get a crack at the job over the final two months of the season. Even if the team goes in a different direction in the offseason, Sanders could play himself into a long-term backup role for the Browns.

Shedeur Sanders made his first career start yesterday. His ascension to the top of the depth chart was made out of necessity, but his second start will come by way of a coaching decision. Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that Dillon Gabriel has cleared concussion protocol. Nevertheless, the Browns will give the nod once again to Sanders in Week […]

Officially fired on his day off, Gabriel will spend Week 13 backing up Shedeur Sanders after missing Week 12's game due to his brain injury. Gabriel's lack of a vertical passing game, as evidenced by a 6.4 ADOT and eight deep throw attempts over eight games, may have proven to be his downfall. Gabriel topped 200 passing yards just once in the six starts he made this season while ranking near the bottom of the league in both dropback success rate and EPA per dropback. Barring injury or a complete implosion by Sanders, there's a good chance this is the last we have seen of Gabriel in 2025.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Monday that QB Dillon Gabriel has cleared the concussion protocol but that Shedeur Sanders will maintain the No. 1 QB role for next Sunday's home date with the 49ers. Sanders threw for 209 yards and a TD in Sunday's win over the Raiders, becoming the first Cleveland QB to win his starting debut since Eric Zeier in 1995.