Cleveland Browns Prepare for Quarterback Change

The Cleveland Browns are anticipated to start Shedeur Sanders at quarterback for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders, following Dillon Gabriel's concussion during a disappointing Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. As reported by Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, Sanders is expected to take the field 'barring some unexpected occurrence,' with Bailey Zappe on standby as the backup.

Throughout the 2025 season, a segment of the fanbase has advocated for Sanders to ascend to the primary quarterback position. His struggles to climb the depth chart have prompted extensive discussions and even addressed by head coach Kevin Stefanski. While it's premature to form solid conclusions regarding the fifth-round pick, Sanders' performance against the Ravens revealed the reasons for his continued backup role until now.

In a brief appearance in the Ravens matchup, Sanders delivered a commendable 25-yard pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. late in the fourth quarter as the Browns aimed for a game-tying score. However, this highlight was overshadowed by his overall performance, where he completed only 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards, alongside an interception and two sacks amounting to a loss of 27 yards.

Reflecting on his debut, Sanders acknowledged, 'I don't think I played good at all. I think there's a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable with even throwing routes with [wide receiver] Jerry [Jeudy] and throwing routes with all those guys.' He emphasized the need for preparation and familiarization with his team ahead of the Raiders game.

Supporters of patience with Sanders were validated, as it was expected that his lack of first-team practice reps would make his initial outing challenging. The second half of the Ravens game, however, illuminated the significant work ahead for Sanders to establish himself as a reliable starter. His pocket awareness was notably lacking, leading to unnecessary yardage losses by opting to extend plays instead of throwing the ball away or going down efficiently.

Stefanski indicated that Gabriel would reclaim his starting position once he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol, although Gabriel's availability for Week 12 remains contingent on the medical staff's approval.

Currently, the focus on who starts for the Browns seems irrelevant, as the team's record stands at 2-8 with diminishing playoff hopes. The remainder of the season offers an opportunity to evaluate both Sanders and Gabriel to determine if either could be a viable long-term solution. Based on current performances, it appears Cleveland may be seeking a new quarterback in the offseason.