The pressure is mounting on the Cleveland Browns (2-6) and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski as they continue to stick with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel over fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, sparking a local media firestorm and a cryptic response from Sanders himself.

During the team’s bye week, Sanders, who was once projected as an early-round pick but fell to the fifth, returned to Colorado to support his father, coach Deion Sanders. He was spotted wearing a shirt emblazoned with the phrase: “The Rejected Will Be Respected.”

Widely interpreted as a subtle, yet powerful, shot at the Browns organization, the message appears to be Shedeur Sanders embracing an underdog status after his promotion to QB2 was complicated by a back injury that held him out of the Week 9 loss. Bailey Zappe served as backup.

The core of the controversy is the struggling offense led by third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. In the recent blowout loss to the New England Patriots, Gabriel’s performance, including two interceptions, did little to inspire confidence. Despite the team’s spiraling record, the Browns’ brass is signaling that a change at quarterback is not currently under consideration.

Coach Stefanski has repeatedly dodged questions about giving Sanders an opportunity, often deflecting with simple statements that his focus is where we are right now. This conservative approach has only intensified the demand for change.

The decision has led to palpable frustration, eloquently vocalized by local sports commentators. ESPN Radio host Tony Rizzo was heard saying;

“What is going on behind the scenes? How can this kid that was rated as a late first-round draft pick not get on a field for a team that sucks?!”

The offense’s struggles are overshadowing heroic efforts on the other side of the ball. Defensive end Myles Garrett delivered a historic performance with five sacks in a single game, only for the defensive effort to be nullified by the team’s inability to secure a win, further fueling the “Sanders Debate” and the yearning for an offensive spark.

The Browns insider says that Dillon Gabriel needs time to come up the learning curve

Despite Gabriel’s noticeable struggles in the game against New England two weeks ago and his slow progress in learning the offense, Stefanski is sticking by his initial decision. This commitment has led many fans to question how much longer the team plans to rely on Gabriel before deciding to switch to their other rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, in an attempt to spark the struggling offense.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot offered some clarity on the situation, relaying the front office’s perspective on Tuesday morning. Cabot explained that the organization believes in Dillon Gabriel.

“(Dillon Gabriel) does need some time to come up the learning curve and deserves some time to come up the learning curve to see if he can do a little bit better,” Cabot said on 92.3 the Fan. 

The necessity for improvement is clear, as the Browns’ offense in 2025 has been in the bottom 10 in almost every major statistical category across the league. Most concerning is their inability to score, ranking 30th in the NFL in that category. 

The offense has not scored more than 17 points since the start of last season, with the only exception being a 31-6 victory over Miami, which was primarily won on the strength of the stout defense and the play of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, rather than the passing game. 

Hopefully, the results will be something else this upcoming weekend. Otherwise, the team will surely have to opt for a change at their QB.