Who will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this season? It’s a question that never really goes away in The Land. This time, the race features Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel. However, in the middle of that battle, Sanders’ quiet move in Dallas made things awkward for himself.

NEON, a well-known streamer, recently met Sanders for the first time, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. During the conversation, when Sanders mentioned he was buying a warehouse in Dallas, NEON cut in and said, “You going to the Cowboys???”

The question hung there for a second.

Sanders, meanwhile, didn’t say much and simply smiled, letting the moment pass without clearing anything up.

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In contrast to Neon’s awkward question, Sanders seems to be quietly gaining an edge in the quarterback battle for the Cleveland Browns. In a recent clip shared by The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN insider Peter Schrager broke down why Sanders is currently ahead in the competition.

“I was just sitting with him [Todd Monken] at the coaches’ breakfast, so Deshaun Watson has spoken to him, but Watson I don’t think has been around as much,” Schrager said. “Shedeur has been there every single day, and then Dillon Gabriel has not been there.”

Unlike a rookie who’s just starting to learn the system, Sanders already has a solid foundation in place at Cleveland. Being in his second year means he can focus more on sharpening his game rather than just trying to adjust.

Although we don’t have specific details about the property Sanders mentioned, his connection to Dallas makes sense. His dad, Deion Sanders, has a huge 5,000-acre piece of land in Texas close to the city. Before he entered the draft, Sanders spent time there honing his skills at a private training facility designed for football.

Last year, quarterback coach Darrell Colbert Jr. came on board to help him train. Still, Sanders’ journey hasn’t been easy. Although many thought he would go earlier, he dropped down the draft board until the Browns chose him at No. 144 in the fifth round. This made him the sixth quarterback taken.

Later, he started seven games for the Dawg Pound in 2025 and finished with a 3-4 record.

Now, the focus goes back to Cleveland, where Sanders is a strong candidate for the starting job.

Shedeur Sanders emerges as a QB1 candidate?

Heading into the new season, the Cleveland Browns still don’t have a clear QB1 for the Dawg Pound. However, the new head coach has started to shape the conversation.

“Todd Monken has spoken to Deshaun Watson, but he hasn’t been around as much,” ESPN’s Peter Schrager shared on The Pat McAfee Show. “Shedeur Sanders has been there every single day, and Dillon Gabriel hasn’t been there. I would say Shedeur Sanders is in the lead spot right now.”

This matches what Monken has been saying, even though he hasn’t officially picked a starter yet. At the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix, Monken highlighted who’s been putting in the effort. He emphasized Sanders’ steady commitment, being present and engaged throughout the offseason.

In contrast, Dillon Gabriel’s absence stood out, with Monken admitting, “As far as I know, he has not,” before adding, “I have not seen Dillon yet.”

Still, Sanders’ experience on the field last season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He started as a backup but got his chance in Week 11 when Gabriel had a concussion. After that, the 24-year-old guided the Browns to a 3-5 record, which didn’t completely secure his spot as the long-term starter.

At times, he showed moments that kept him in the mix. He threw for 209 yards against the Raiders and then 364 against Tennessee. But when you look at the whole season, he ended up with 1,400 yards and 10 interceptions, which raises some concerns.

So now, as the Dawg Pound watches closely, the real test begins.