The Cleveland Browns are currently facing yet another quarterback controversy as rookie Dillon Gabriel’s performance has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. Over the past few weeks, Gabriel has struggled on the field, leaving many supporters eager to see the fifth-round draft pick, Shedeur Sanders, get an opportunity to start.
Despite the calls for change, head coach Kevin Stefanski has suggested that Sanders is not yet prepared to take on the starting role, continuing to allocate first-team practice reps primarily to Gabriel. Critics have pointed out that without giving Sanders the chance to run with the first team, it is impossible to assess his readiness for the game.
During a discussion on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, radio hosts Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin weighed in on this contentious issue. Wilson articulated his concerns, stating, “It is something that I think is a flaw in the Browns’ defense of Shedeur’s not ready… how can Shedeur be ready if he’s not getting even 5% of the first-team reps?”
Peterlin echoed Wilson’s sentiments, emphasizing that assessing a quarterback’s capability is challenging when they only have experience throwing to the scout team. With Gabriel’s current statistics reflecting a completion rate of less than 60% and an average of just 4.9 yards per pass, questions about his ability to lead the team effectively are surfacing more prominently.
As the struggles of Dillon Gabriel continue, it appears increasingly likely that the Browns may pivot to give Sanders a shot to demonstrate his potential as the starter. The coaching decisions made in the upcoming days will be critical, not just for the team’s immediate performance but also for the development of its promising quarterback talents. The hope remains that the coaching staff will find a way to leverage the skills of their high-profile draft picks to improve the team’s prospects moving forward.