CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones expects the Cleveland Browns to make a quarterback change soon, moving rookie Shedeur Sanders into the starting role over Dillon Gabriel.
During the discussion Sunday afternoon on CBS Sports Network following the Browns’ 27-20 loss to the Jets, Jones shared his thoughts on the Browns’ quarterback situation.
“In a lost season, which clearly this is a lost season again for the Cleveland Browns, you are going to see Shedeur,” Jones said. “I thought for a little bit that Dillon Gabriel would be able to hold it off, he was going to play well, and they won’t lose because of Dillon Gabriel.”
“It’s hard to say that they didn’t lose today because of Dillon Gabriel, and of course, bad special teams play by the Browns. I don’t know if it’s this upcoming week,” Jones continued. “I don’t know if it’s the next week, but sooner rather than later, I think we will finally see the debut of Shedeur Sanders.”
The speculation comes despite Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stating that Gabriel will start next Sunday’s game at home against the Baltimore Ravens, much to the displeasure of some Browns fans, many of whom voiced their displeasure on social media.
Gabriel completed 53.1% of his passes (17 of 32) for 167 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 54 yards in Sunday’s loss. Still, it was the Browns’ best offensive output in four weeks, with 278 yards of total offense. But it still may not be enough to keep Gabriel in the starting role.
In the five games that Gabriel has started, he has completed 58.2% of his passes (99 of 170) for 850 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. The low completion percentage and lack of wins, combined with Sanders on the bench, has many discussing when Sanders could get a shot to play.
Sanders, the Browns’ fifth-round draft selection, has been the backup quarterback since the team traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals in October. A back injury forced Sanders to miss the Browns’ Oct. 26 game against the New England Patriots, but the team had a bye week and Sanders returned Sunday.
Jones is not alone in this assessment. ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo said on his Oct. 20 show that he has heard Sanders will be given a chance to start this season so the team can evaluate his play and determine what direction it should go for the 2026 season.
“It’s not going to happen anytime soon,” Rizzo said. “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 would start the last four games of the season 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.”
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