Shedeur Sanders Replacing Dillon Gabriel Wasn’t Considered by Browns HC vs. Steelers

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was promoted to backup quarterback this week, but getting playing time on Sunday apparently wasn’t an option without an injury.

Despite struggles from fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, head coach Kevin Stefanski said “he never pondered” putting Sanders in the game, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

Last week, the Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, confirming Gabriel’s role as starter and moving Sanders from No. 3 to No. 2 on the depth chart.

Gabriel did little to impress in his second start, throwing for 221 yards on 29-of-52 passing with no touchdowns. That followed a performance against the Minnesota Vikings in which he recorded 190 yards and two touchdowns.

Though he has yet to see any action this season, Sanders has remained somewhat optimistic with the recent changes.

“I’m in a great mental space overall,” Sanders told reporters last week. “So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure… Whatever my role is here, I’m thankful. I’m happy just to do that.”

Considering he started the season No. 4 on the Browns’ depth chart and is now in a backup role, it’s fair to say Sanders is in a better place now than he was a month ago.

But taking over as Cleveland’s starter will likely be a bigger task than earning QB2 honors. Though Gabriel struggled on Sunday, the fact that Stefanski didn’t consider putting in Sanders indicates that he plans on being patient with Gabriel as he figures things out.

The Browns are 1-5 and seem like a long shot to make the playoffs, so the remainder of the 2025 season might be dedicated to developing Gabriel rather than experimenting with Sanders under center.

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