The Cleveland Browns have been a mess in the 2025-26 NFL season with a dismal 2-6 record. The biggest reason behind this disappointing season has been head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s quarterback mismanagement. Shifting focus to rookie Dillon Gabriel, the Browns initially used veteran QB Joe Flacco. Though neither option has yielded results, Stefanski’s benching of other rookie QB Shedeur Sanders has made all the headlines.

Plying into Cleveland’s QB drama, Shedeur’s older brother and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety, Shilo Sanders, was caught making sly remarks about the Browns’ starter, Dillon Gabriel. Shilo Sanders was attending Complex con in Las Vegas, where he interacted with streamer and producer PlaqueboyMax. The duo was livestreaming when PlaqueboyMax asked Shilo whether he could make it in the NFL.

Here, Sanders asked him to stand as he compared his height with PlaqueboyMax. Then the former Colorado Buffaloes safety compared their heights. Shilo was towering over Max. Shilo shared how Max is also “NFL size,”. To which Max said, “You mean I am little.” When asked by Max, could he play QB, Shilo responded, “You are Dillon Gabriel’s size.” Though indirectly, this comment appears as a slight at the Browns’ starting QB, because of whom Shedeur Sanders hasn’t had a chance to kick off his NFL career. Unfortunately for Cleveland, this debate has defined their season.

After a preseason where both Gabriel and Sanders got playing opportunities, Kevin Stefanski opted to start the Oklahoma Sooners QB over Sanders. The debate has continued despite Cleveland’s struggles, triggering fans and the media to question these tactics.

Is Stefanski right to back Gabriel over Shedeur Sanders as QB1?

A franchise like the Cleveland Browns has been under-delivering on expectations since their return to the NFL in 1999. With only three playoff appearances and one postseason win, Browns fans are familiar with mediocrity. But this season’s quarterback drama has been a new low for the franchise. A situation that should have been quietly handled has spiraled out into one of the biggest talking points this season.

But despite the poor record and criticism, is Kevin Stefanski correct in backing Dillon Gabriel over Shedeur Sanders? ESPN analyst Matt Miller has expressed support for the two-time NFL Coach of the Year. During an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, Miller expressed, “I believe that if he was worthy of starting, Kevin Stefanski would start him. I think coaches want to win games. That’s their job.”

Miller justified his claims by stating that Stefanski and his staff are in the best position to take a call about the starting quarterback. “I’m a believer in letting coaches coach,” Miller told our host at EssentiallySports, Andrew Whitelaw.

The ESPN analyst then concluded his stance by saying, “So, until we have any evidence that Sanders should be playing over Gabriel, I think you have to trust the guys who are there every day doing the work.”

After a 32-13 loss to the New England Patriots, Cleveland is 2-6 and languishing at the bottom of the NFC North. With this season done and dusted, the Browns must utilize the remainder of their games to define a path for their future and then take the steps to become a winning franchise in the NFL.