Browns Locker Room’s Feelings Cleared Against Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel After Rookies’ Jersey Numbers Revealed

While other division rivals like the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for their 4th quarterback, the Cleveland Browns fulfilled their QB quota. The Browns’ QB room has Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, and Joe Flacco. However, the real question is, who’s gonna be the starting quarterback and QB2? As the room has two rookies and three veterans, fans are keeping an eye on the front office’s next move. But the Browns revealed their plan for QB1, and fans won’t tolerate their decision. 

An NFL insider and national reporter, Albert Breer, revealed what was happening inside the Browns’ headquarters. The reporter exposed Kevin Stefanski‘s strategy and the possibility of Sanders and Gabriel starting the 2025 season. Breer said, “So, you’ve got a guy who’s in uniform and starting in September, who’s had enough work to be a starting quarterback in one of the toughest divisions in football and for a team that, by the way, made the playoffs two years ago and has a lot of veteran players like Miles Garrett that aren’t going to aren’t going to be too receptive to the idea of wasting a year in the name of a quarterback project.” He also clearly said who’s gonna be taking the first snap. 

Breer added, “I sense that Joe Flacco is going to take the first snap in the spring. Flacco has pole position here.” And said this without considering Deshaun Watson’s comeback, as Watson is dealing with his re-ruptured Achilles. So, what do we get from Albert Breer? According to the reporter, the Browns may give a starting quarterback opportunity, for at least this season, when Joe Flacco is there. In the 2024 season, Flacco made 248 passes and completed 65.3% for 1,761 yards. He landed 12 TDs and threw seven interceptions while getting sacked 18 times. 

Back to Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—according to the reporter, one of them could land the backup role. With Pickett and Flacco likely battling for the starting job early in the season, the two rookie quarterbacks are in for a tough competition behind them. But will either get a shot at QB1 in 2025? Only two things will tell: the Browns organization and time.

Meanwhile, both quarterbacks received their jersey numbers. The shocking part of the update is that Shedeur didn’t get the No. 2 jersey even when the number was available. Let’s dive in to know more. 

Shedeur Sanders didn’t get his legendary #2 jersey 

On May 6, the Browns posted a cold graphic on their X page, revealing seven jersey numbers for new players, including Gabriel and Sanders. Gabriel got 5. And guess what? Shedeur Sanders didn’t get his legendary jersey No. 2, with which he played for the Colorado Buffaloes. He got #12 instead. And Shedeur’s reaction?

Shedeur Sanders hasn’t personally responded to the jersey number announcement, but someone close to his camp has. ESPN Cleveland’s Brad Stainbrook shared the team’s reaction: “There’s no way the Cleveland Browns should’ve given #2 to anyone else—especially to a WR who’s never worn it before. But we expected it, so we’re not flinching. Take it, smile, then make it legendary. Keep going.” That’s the spirit.

For the 2025 NFL season, Sanders will wear the number 12 jersey. Known for his poise, accuracy, and leadership at quarterback, he now faces the challenge of living up to growing expectations. Fans are eager to see whether he can build a legacy strong enough to make number 12 iconic in the NFL, just like his college jersey.