The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation shifted again this week, but much of the reaction has focused less on the field and more on how the story is being told. After head coach Kevin Stefanski announced veteran Joe Flacco would be benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel in Sunday’s international game against the Minnesota Vikings, social media quickly turned the conversation toward Shedeur Sanders.
Fans, however, insist the media is fabricating unnecessary drama, calling the coverage a “circus” around Cleveland’s QB room. One fan commented,
“The media is making a circus out of the Cleveland QB room! Sanders is taking shots because the media is posting headline takes like this! How can you take what Flacco said and think it was a shot at Sanders? Now you have people talking crazy about Sanders who said nothing at all.”
The media is making a circus out of the Cleveland QB room! Sanders is taking shots because the media is posting headline takes like this! How can you take what Flacco said and think it was a shot at Sanders? Now you have people talking crazy about Sanders who said nothing at all
— Big Hit_4663 (@mathisjr31) October 2, 2025
Browns Fans Clap Back at Rumors Dillon Gabriel’s Promotion Snubs Shedeur Sanders
Jun 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The growing frustration among Browns fans stems from how the story has been framed. Many believe Gabriel’s promotion has been twisted into a Sanders storyline without merit. Comments across social platforms highlighted that praising Gabriel does not equal diminishing Sanders.
Onefan wrote,“No. Just giving praise to Dillon. Just like Dillon wasn’t taking shots to Shedeur. We gotta stop taking stuff outta context.” Another added,“Nah this wasn’t a shot at Shedeur, you’re reaching with this.”
Others took a broader swipe at coverage, emphasizing how the narrative was being exaggerated for clicks.“Social media really thrives off negativity, lol. Cause why ask is this a shot at Shedeur? ” one comment read.
Oneuserwrote,“It’s not about Shedeur it’s about Dillon.” Another added,“No ……. He’s just giving a normal answer ….. is he supposed to mime?”
Flacco’s struggles forced the Browns’ hand. The 39-year-old opened the season as the starter but threw six interceptions across four games, including two in Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. His eight total turnovers are the most in the NFL, and his QBR of 27.0 ranks ahead of only Tennessee rookie Cam Ward. Cleveland’s offense has also suffered, producing just 14 points per game, the league’s second-lowest scoring rate.
Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel, drafted 94th overall in April, will take over. Gabriel owns the most career starts (63) and total touchdowns (189) in FBS history, while tying Case Keenum with 155 passing scores. He also becomes the first quarterback to debut as a starter in an international game.
“From the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard,” Stefanskisaid. “Obviously, now we feel like he’s ready to go as a starter.”
The decision keeps Sanders as the third-string option. The rookie has yet to receive live game snaps, but his name was pulled into headlines after rumors suggested Flacco’s benching indirectly impacted his path. That angle, fans argue, is pure speculation.