Following a disappointing 27-20 defeat to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will retain his starting position. The matchup was marked by two special-teams touchdowns for the Jets and another frustrating performance from the Browns’ offense, with Gabriel completing 17 of 32 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, while enduring six sacks.
Stefanski’s commitment to Gabriel raises eyebrows, especially in light of the presence of another rookie quarterback on the roster, Shedeur Sanders, who has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL. This decision has sparked significant discussion among Cleveland sports commentators. On ESPN Cleveland, hosts Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer expressed their frustration, questioning whether Sanders would feature at all this season and what benefits he might gain from sitting on the bench given the offense’s struggles. Some speculate that Stefanski would prefer to lose his job rather than give Sanders a chance to play.
The Browns selected Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the April draft, following impressive performances at Jackson State and Colorado, where he recorded an FBS record 71.8% completion rate. As the 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, Sanders brought considerable fanfare, despite concerns regarding his adaptation to the NFL. His preseason performances gave hope, showcasing his calm demeanor and accuracy, as he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions.
In contrast, Gabriel has managed to throw seven touchdown passes against just two interceptions in five starts; however, his average of 124 passing yards per game and a completion rate of 58.6% contribute to the Browns’ offensive struggles, with the team ranking among the lowest in the league, averaging just 16.2 points per game.
Stefanski maintains that he will “look at everything” concerning the quarterback situation, yet has refrained from making any changes. As the Browns move forward, if the offensive issues persist without an opportunity for Sanders, the pressure for a quarterback change will likely intensify, putting Stefanski’s future in Cleveland in jeopardy. Despite their current challenges, the Browns’ leadership seems determined to stay the course, signaling that significant changes might be imminent if performance does not improve.