The Cleveland Browns sticking with backup Shedeur Sanders after the primary quarterback Dillon Gabriel cleared concussion protocol was always going to spark a debate. Adding fuel to the fire was their 26-8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. However, it turned into a full-blown controversy when Gabriel’s fiancée, Zo Caswell, apparently took a jab at Sanders. Now, Deion Sanders’ close friend, Shannon Sharpe, has jumped in to share his take on the situation.

“How does she know that? Unless somebody’s pillow talking,” Sharpe questioned on his Nightcap podcast.

Sharpe’s reaction came after Caswell posted a TikTok captioned, “Browns lost what’s new 😂.” However, that’s not where things escalated. It was Caswell snapping back at a commenter that turned a jab into a controversial take.

“Actually everyone in the building wants him (Gabriel) to play. But you wouldn’t know that bc you’ve never played in the nfl or been a (coach) right,” his fiancée responded to a follower suggesting that she was being racist and that no one respects the Oregon alum in the organization.

As a starter under the center for the second straight game, Sanders went 16-of-25 for 149 yards and one touchdown while taking three sacks in the Week 13 loss. With Gabriel fully cleared but still on the bench, the timing of Caswell’s post raised eyebrows.

“That’s why I always tell family, friends, and loved ones, be mindful of what you say because whether they said it or not, it’s going back to them,” Sharpe called out Gabriel for letting locker-room talk drift into his personal life.

Sharpe’s point was simple: even when a family member posts something, regardless of whether it’s true or meant no harm, people inside the building assume it came straight from the player. This time, it put Gabriel in a bad spot.

The flames catch more wind as this take reminds everyone of how the fifth-rounder had been treated until he got a nod to play against the Baltimore Ravens. If we jog our memories, Sanders did not receive any first-team reps until Week 11, when he was pushed on the field with no game plan in hand after Gabriel suffered a concussion. Head coach Kevin Stefanski always siding with Gabriel only led Sanders’ fanbase to believe that the team was only using him for sales.

From the very first few snaps, though, Sanders proved his words that he could be someone the Browns have been searching for.

The Colorado alum, with his arm strength, long throws, and ability to make good decisions in clutch situations, had already impressed the Browns nation. Then, in his first start, he led the Browns to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders to return as a starter the following week.

In fact, despite Gabriel having already cleared concussion protocol, Sanders has reportedly received the nod to start once again next week against the Tennessee Titans.

Shedeur Sanders still has a shot to cement himself as the Browns’ QB1

The Browns will host the Titans in Week 14, and Shedeur Sanders will return to run the offense for the third straight time. Coach Stefanski confirmed the rookie’s role a couple of days ago.

“I’m just dealing with our football team week to week, but I’m pleased with his progress,” the head coach said. “He wants to continue to get better and better, and that’s the right attitude to have, and that’s why we’ll continue to work.”

As for the rest of the season, Stefanski didn’t reveal anything concrete. But Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com added a little more context, saying she believes Shedeur will end up starting for the remainder of the season. The reason for this is simple: The team has already seen what Gabriel can and cannot do, and now it’s time to check out Sanders.

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Owner Jimmy Haslam had already revealed that he plans to see what both his rookie QBs are capable of. With multiple picks in the 2026 NFL draft, including two in the first round, the evaluation of Gabriel and Sanders will decide if they need to put those early round picks to draft a signal caller, who they will eventually want to be their franchise QB. They’ve already been scouting college football games and could potentially bring in a new face to run their offense on the field.

For now, Shedeur Sanders seems to be locked for another round of battle at home. While the Browns are not fighting for much now as the last-place team in the AFC North, how they work against an even poorer Titans defense (17th according to PFF) could change Sanders’ fate in Berea.