Browns' Shedeur Sanders sparked rumors that his days in Cleveland could be numbered after sharing a cryptic Instagram post ahead of Dillon Gabriel's underwhelming performance against the Patriots
18:54 ET, 26 Oct 2025Updated 18:54 ET, 26 Oct 2025
Shedeur Sanders stands on the field
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Shedeur Sanders posted a cryptic photo ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots(Image: Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders sent social media into a tailspin after sharing a cryptic Instagram Story ahead of teammate Dillon Gabriel’s latest underwhelming performance.
On Saturday, the Browns ruled Sanders questionable for Sunday’s contest against the New England Patriots with back tightness. Then prior to kickoff, the Colorado product was downgraded to out.
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Around 20 minutes before Cleveland officially ruled him out for Week 8, Sanders posted a black-and-white image of himself signing a jersey on the field as droves of Browns fans leaned over the wall pads.
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Taking to social media, droves of NFL supporters speculated that Sanders could be signaling his impending exit from Cleveland with the photo. “Bro definitely got word he’s getting traded,” one X user wrote, with another adding: “I believe he’s saying goodbye. The deck was stacked against him in Cleveland.”
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A third chimed in, “Not even trolling but this feels as a goodbye post. Even if it's not, it might end up being one.”
As trade rumors surrounding Sanders reach a fever pitch, Browns team owner Jimmy Haslam asserted that Cleveland still views the 23-year-old as an integral part of their future. "Shedeur's making progress in practice, so we're going to continue to work with both of those guys,” he said.
It remains to be seen if Sanders will receive a starting opportunity at some point this season. Veteran Joe Flacco started the first four games for the Browns this season before being replaced by Gabriel and subsequently traded to the Cincinnati Bengals several days later.
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Though Gabriel has shown flashes of brilliance in relief of Flacco, the Oregon product has failed to achieve consistent results and is coming off arguably the worst start of his young NFL career.
Against the Patriots, he completed 21-of-35 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Speaking to reporters on the heels of the Browns’ 32-13 loss to the Patriots, head coach Kevin Stefanski asserted that he would “look at everything” over Cleveland’s bye week.
"When you lose like this, you have to look at everything,” he explained. “Every position, everything I’m doing. It’s frustrating for where we are as a team, so every position you have to look at.
Dillon Gabriel throws a pass against the Patriots
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Dillon Gabriel threw two interceptions during a 32-13 loss to the Patriots(Image: Getty Images)
Addressing the recent struggles of Gabriel — who actively ranks last in the NFL this season with 4.9 yards per attempt — Stefanski acknowledged that the rookie signal-caller was bound to experience growing pains.
“But let me say that with a young quarterback, you understand that there's gonna be ups and downs," he said.
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When asked if it meant that Gabriel would remain the Browns starter for a Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets, Stefanski replied: "Yes it does, but 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.
"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."