Ahead of the Browns’ preseason opener, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel sparked debate over Cleveland’s QB hierarchy. Nick Wright, on The Herd, threw shade at the entire Browns QB setup—suggesting it might be more muddled than impressive.
Wright acknowledged he didn’t initially expect much from Sanders. But after seeing Sanders connect for two touchdowns and rack up 138 yards in his debut, Wright admitted that Sanders could be a good option in the QB room. He contrasted that performance with the more underwhelming presence of the veteran Dillon Gabriel and others.
Shedeur Sanders
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-The USAToday Network via Imagn Images
“I don’t think you or I loved him as a starting quarterback his rookie year in the NFL,” Wright added. “But when he ends up on a team with the oldest quarterback in the leageue in Joe Flacco, with Kenny Pickett, who is not an NFL quarterback, and then Dillon Gabriel, who, you know, looks eye to eye with Kyler Murray, then all of a sudden it’s like, well Shedeur might be a good option in this specific quarterback room.”
Should Shedeur be head and shoulders above Dillon Gabriel on the Browns depth chart? @colincowherd @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/VTb89oFFvC
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 12, 2025
Colin Cowherd echoed similar thoughts, noting that though Sanders had faced criticism—like allegations of immaturity—it’s hard to argue with the results. Though the QB competition remains open, Sanders clearly seized the moment.
“So I’m in a weird space with Shedeur Sanders,” Cowherd said on FS1’s “The Herd”. “I liked him coming out of college. Then I thought he was way too immature with Legendary and his speeding tickets. And then I watched him Friday, and I’m like, ‘Stop saying he’s not athletic enough.’ And so now I’m stuck.”
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) on the field in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) on the field in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Shedeur Sanders shuts down doubters with stunning preseason debut, sending Chad Johnson into frenzy
Shedeur Sanders stunned in his Browns preseason debut, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns, and even veteran Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson couldn’t stay quiet. On their “Nightcap” podcast, Johnson pushed back hard at critics who doubted Sanders, firing off: everything they said he couldn’t do, he did.
Sure, it’s preseason—but that performance was more than a warmup. Johnson noted that Sanders has been showing this level of play since college, and it was frustrating to see naysayers dismiss him after just one game. The message? Don’t underestimate him—because he’s clearly proving them wrong.
“Like, my coach is saying, ‘Come on, we’re finding something that he can’t do,'” Johnson said in “Nightcap.” “See, you keep telling me what he should do or can’t do, where your job as a coach is to put players in position and find something that they can do. Wait a minute. But where’s the can’t coming from when we just saw him do it?
Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders had the #NFL world buzzing, but fresh off the field, he vowed to be better. “Whenever it’s my turn I feel like I’ve got to take advantage of it. I did some good some bad. I know moving forward I won’t make the same mistakes twice.” #Browns pic.twitter.com/6XFKfm1M5a
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 9, 2025
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Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) reacts after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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