The Cleveland Browns appear set to on Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback.
The Browns turned to Gabriel after benching and later trading Joe Flacco. In three starts, Gabriel has had mixed results. But he will remain the starter going forward, as Shedeur Sanders isn’t close to earning playing time.
Following practice on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski explained why Sanders isn’t getting any first-team reps in practice.
“With a young quarterback, with Dillon (Gabriel) starting, you want to make sure he gets a lot of the reps,” Stefanski said on why Sanders isn’t getting first-team reps. “It’s different when you have a veteran like Joe.”
Although Sanders isn’t getting any first-team reps, Stefanski did confirm that the rookie quarterback is still getting snaps in practice.
“But he’s still getting reps in a bunch of periods,” Stefanski added.
With Sanders not getting any first-team reps, it’s clear that the Browns are committed to Gabriel as their starting quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders Putting in Extra Work
With Sanders not getting any first-team reps, the rookie quarterback is putting in extra work.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot revealed that Sanders is putting extra work in the early morning hours with Stefanski.
“Myles Garrett also revealed recently that he sees Sanders working with Kevin Stefanski in his office in the early morning hours. Which means he’s putting in the extra work. It’s showing up on the practice field. And the Browns are eager to see what he can do this season when the time comes,” Cabot said. “The Browns will give Dillon Gabriel a decent on-ramp, but there will probably come a time in the second half of the season where the Browns will want to see Sanders play. They’re confident he’ll be ready.”
With Sanders not getting any first-team reps, he’s focused on doing his own side work to make sure he’s ready, should he get thrust into NFL action.
But for now, Sanders is focused on being the best backup quarterback he can be and making sure Gabriel is prepared for his starts.
Insider Expects Sanders to Start Games for Browns
Although Sanders isn’t getting any first-team reps, one insider expects the rookie to start games this season.
Browns insider Tony Rizzo reported earlier this week that sources have told him that Sanders will start multiple games to end the season.
“I need to see Shedeur when they are going to give him a chance,” Rizzo said on ESPN Cleveland. “And, by that, I mean they have to tell him he’s starting on Monday. It’s not going to happen anytime soon, I get it. But you have the Patriots and then the bye week. I was told by two different sources yesterday at the stadium, one said Shedeur will start the last four games of the season, no matter what.
“Unless the Browns win every game through the Titans week, Shedeur will play the Bears, Bills, Steelers, and Bengals. They want to see what he’s got. Another said he could be in play earlier than that.”
Whether or not that will come to fruition is to be seen. But after the Browns picked both Gabriel and Sanders, the front office made it clear that the goal was to see both of them in game action before the year was up.
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