The Cleveland Browns have been looking for a franchise quarterback for the better part of three decades. Last season’s opening week starter under center, Deshaun Watson, was looking at missing the entire season after suffering a setback in his recovery from the Achilles injury that ended his season last year.
The Browns responded by starting veteran Joe Flacco, who won Comeback Player of the Year with the franchise a couple of seasons ago, in Week 1. Unfortunately, Flacco never got the offense humming and was benched and replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel struggled to look like a true starting-caliber quarterback. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski was steadfast in his support of Gabriel and wanted to continue to let him develop.
“We’re going to stick with Dillon (Gabriel)” as starting quarterback,” [Stefanski said earlier in the season after one of Gabriel’s struggles.](https://thecomeback.com/nfl/jimmy-haslam-important-to-see-shedeur-sanders-play.html)
“I think with young quarterbacks, it’s an understanding that there’s gonna be ups and downs. Can Dillon play better? Yes, he can. Can we play better around him? Yes, we can. Can we coach him better?
“Yes, we can. So, I understand the question, but I just trust that our young players at every position, and certainly at the quarterback position, are guys that are gonna work their tails off to get better every single day.”
However, a concussion forced Gabriel out of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders entered the game in his place. Sanders didn’t exactly light it up, but Gabriel remained in the protocol, and Sanders was forced to start in Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
Sanders was very impressive in the game, leading Cleveland to a win. He was so impressive, in fact, that Stefanski has changed his mind on which young arm is the best guy to lead the offense moving forward.
https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1993027319158698087?s=20
It’ll be interesting to see if Sanders keeps the job for the rest of the season.