The Cleveland Browns have turned to Dillon Gabriel as the starter, but Shedeur Sanders - who was picked two rounds later - is hoping to get his chance in the foreseeable future
17:14 ET, 30 Oct 2025Updated 17:14 ET, 30 Oct 2025
Shedeur Sanders is still waiting to feature in an NFL regular season game
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Shedeur Sanders is still waiting to feature in an NFL regular season game(Image: Getty Images)
Shedeur Sanders revealed he needs to get “big ready” in case the Cleveland Browns decide to start him at quarterback.
On Sunday, the Browns were crushed 32-13 by the New England Patriots at Foxborough. Despite taking five sacks from Myles Garrett, Drake Maye took over the game as he completed 18 of 24 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
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Maye’s quarterback play was crucial in leading the Patriots to the dominant win, while the Browns were caught lacking as Dillon Gabriel threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns as well as a pair of interceptions. While Kevin Stefanski insisted the team is not turning to Sanders anytime soon, Gabriel is under pressure.
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Early in the season, Gabriel usurped veteran quarterback Joe Flacco after he went 1-3 through the first four games. The Browns decided to back Gabriel and traded Flacco, leaving two rookies in the quarterback room.
Now, Gabriel is 1-3 as a starter with the Browns sitting at 2-6 and at the bottom of the AFC North. Stefanski is likely to stick with Gabriel for the time being, but Sanders suggests his opportunity is coming.
On a livestream on Thursday, Sanders was asked if he was returning to Boulder for Colorado Homecoming during his Week 9 bye. He said: “Am I coming to see you homecoming? Nah, I'm not coming to see you at homecoming. I can't make it out there.
“I wish I could, though, but it just can't happen. I got treatment out here. I can't be eh. I gotta get ready. Big ready.”
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Shedeur Sanders appeared to suggest he could be nearing playing time
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Shedeur Sanders appeared to suggest he could be nearing playing time(Image: X @MLFootball)
At some point, with the Browns in no position to win, it will make sense for Sanders to get his opportunity so the franchise can see what they have in the quarterback and see if he can boost an offense that's averaging just 15.8 points per game - third-last in the NFL. But, in the eyes of Stefanski, the time is not now.
On Monday, when asked if he’s considering the possibility of playing Sanders, Stefanski was dismissive. He said: “The focus is where we are right now. That’s not my focus.”
Cleveland has a bye in Week 9, but Gabriel will be the starter against the New York Jets in Week 10. After the loss to the Patriots, Stefanski told reporters: “Let me say that with a young quarterback, you understand that there's gonna be ups and downs.”
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Browns fans are used to frustration when it comes to the quarterback position. Since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999, the Browns have been to the playoffs just three times with a single postseason win orchestrated by Baker Mayfield, who Cleveland ditched in favor of Deshaun Watson.
The 2-6 Browns are on a bye week. The team returns to take on the 1-7 New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9.