Calls are growing for the Cleveland Browns to replace Dillon Gabriel with Shedeur Sanders, but a quarterback change is not the “focus” for the team as they head into the bye week.
Gabriel dropped to 1-3 as the starter after Sunday’s 31-13 loss to the New England Patriots. He passed for 156 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions — the first two turnovers of his NFL career. Gabriel completed 21 passes but just two of those went to a wide receiver. Jamari Thrash grabbed both and No. 1 receiver Jerry Jeudy was shut out for the first time as a member of the Browns.
Sanders missed the game with a back injury he suffered later in the week. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the rookie tested it out pregame but didn’t feel ready to suit up.
“He obviously came in Saturday with his back injury. We were hopeful that he’d be able to move around well enough to suit up on Sunday,” Stefanski said. “But, put him through a pre-game warm up, and obviously just didn’t feel like he was ready to play. But he’s getting better every day and I’m hopeful that he’ll continue to improve.”
Browns Not Focused on Making Quarterback Change
Cleveland is now heading into the bye week and is “looking at everything” to get their season back on track. But a quarterback change is not something Stefanski is considering.
“Yeah, honestly, my focus is where we are right now,” Stefanski said when asked about playing Sanders. “That’s not my focus.”
Stefanski also backed Gabriel immediately after the loss to the Patriots.
“I just want to make the point that we just have to be better in every area, and we’ll look at everything we do, including how we’re putting these guys in position to succeed,” Stefanski said. “Are we doing enough — when I say looking at every position, are we doing enough with the quarterback position? Do we need to do a better job? And I think I know the answer is yes.”
Browns Veteran Joel Bitonio Backs Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel’s performance through four games has not been inspiring. But he has veteran offensive lineman Joel Bitonio in his corner. Bitonio said the offense’s struggles are not all on Gabriel and the team has to do more to support him.
“He’s going to keep improving. He’s had four games and some tough matchups. It’s not a one-person issue. We want to give our quarterback a chance. This bye week will give him a chance to reset and it will be good for his growth,” Bitonio said on Monday. “For a young guy in this league, four games is so minuscule on a big platform. We have to give him a chance to adjust and see what he likes. We have to go back, rewatch the games and see what plays we were successful with. What does he like? Where does he like to move in the pocket? Where does he like to set up? All of those things are questions we have to answer. And as an offense, we want to perform better to give him a chance to truly be evaluated.”
Gabriel and the Browns face a prime opportunity to turn things around after the bye against a one-win New York Jets team. If he fails to deliver, the calls for Sanders will grow louder.
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