Many feel the Cleveland Browns have no one to blame but themselves for the situation they're in.
The team spent third- and fifth-round picks on quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft, and those players - Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders - happen to be No. 1 and 2 on the depth chart after trades sent Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett to the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.
And with just seven games left in the regular season, Browns fans feel like they've seen a big enough sample size from Gabriel to know that they'd rather see what Sanders can do with the starting offense, which has led to Gabriel getting booed and a social media uproar in support of the Browns making Sanders the starter.
More News:Concerning Dillon Gabriel Report Emerges Before Browns-Ravens Game
Many of those same fans got to see Sanders under center in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after Gabriel left with a concussion, and though he was cheered upon entering the game, Sanders made it clear after that as much as he appreciates the support, he's also not OK with how Gabriel has been treated.
"I'm extremely thankful [for my opportunity]," Sanders said. "Well first let me say this - when Dillon's out there playing and all that, I appreciate the fans (cheering for me), but I'm a good person overall, so I don't really like him not feeling comfortable and confident when he gets out there. So, it puts everything in a tough spot. It's not helping the team."
More News:Vikings' Justin Jefferson Doesn't Hold Back on JJ McCarthy's Struggles
Gabriel completed 7 of 10 passes for 68 yards before giving way to Sanders, who completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski also acknowledged after that Sanders hasn't taken any first-team reps since he was drafted, explaining why Sanders' timing looked off and the rest of the offense - receivers Jerry Jeudy and Malachi Corley, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. - was out of sync with him.
Stefanski indicated that if Gabriel clears concussion protocol that he will likely return to his starting role, sending Sanders back to the bench. But now that fans have gotten a taste of Sanders under center, don't expect the calls for him to play to silence anytime soon.
More News:JJ McCarthy Sends Message to Vikings Fans Who Booed Him During Bears Loss
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.