Shedeur Sanders may be losing more than the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job. His standing as the team’s potential backup is now also in question.
Saturday brought the clearest sign yet that Sanders is sliding down the depth chart. Deshaun Watson received the bulk of the first-team work on what was supposed to be Sanders’ day with the starters, while Dillon Gabriel took significant snaps with the second-team offense.
The Browns have not announced a change to their quarterback hierarchy. In fact, a formal depth chart has not been established. Prior to practice, Browns coach Todd Monken indicated Sanders would have his typical time with the starters. However, the rep distribution raised the possibility that Watson is pulling ahead in the starting battle and Gabriel is threatening to leapfrog Sanders for the No. 2 role.
“Not only is Watson remaining with the ones, but Dillon Gabriel getting a lot of reps with the twos along with Shedeur Sanders. Has Sanders been dropped to the No 3 QB?” Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan wrote on X.
Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN also highlighted how sharply Sanders’ opportunities declined.
“Dillon Gabriel led the 2s to end the period. Significant reduction in reps for Shedeur Sanders on a day when he was supposed to run the No. 1 offense,” Oyefusi said.
Dillon Gabriel Threatening Shedeur Sanders’ Role
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel has had a strong training camp.
Gabriel opened training camp behind Watson and Sanders, mostly out of any consequential quarterback conversation. However, his steady performance has forced Monken to reconsider how the practice opportunities are divided.
Monken previously warned that no player was guaranteed the same number of snaps throughout camp. He specifically praised Gabriel for maximizing his limited workload and said that strong play would be rewarded.
“I said it the other day, everybody’s competing, but you’re not guaranteed the same amount of reps,” Monken said on August 3. “So it’s up to the player to take advantage and maximize those reps, which I feel like Dillon has done.
“If that continues, we’ll continue to up his reps. He’s earned that. That’s what every player should expect, right? If they play well, you have to up the reps, or what’s the purpose of playing well?”
Gabriel has avoided talking about the quarterback competition and his standing.
“Never disrespected. I don’t take things personally, it’s a business. I’m focused on what I need to do to get better, and that’s all I’m focused on. I’m present with that,” Gabriel said on August 5. “I’m in a good spot mentally. I know what I need to do to be at my best and then we ball.”
Gabriel started six games for Cleveland as a rookie, finishing with a 1-5 record while completing 59.2% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. A concussion ended his run as the starter and opened the door for Sanders, who started the final seven games.
Browns Closing In on Quarterback Decision
GettyBrowns head coach Todd Monken said he will name his starting quarterback before Week 1.
Cleveland is preparing to determine its rotation for the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears next week.
“Even in a preseason game, the win-loss won’t matter, but how we play is going to matter to me. How we function offensively,” Monken said. “Whoever we put out there, we want the product to look like you want it to look like. So ultimately that’ll be the start of it.”
Monken previously indicated that Watson and Sanders would each start one of Cleveland’s first two preseason games. The Browns host the Buffalo Bills in their second exhibition on August 22, but Monken has left room for the plan to change.
“That’s still in mind,” Monken said. “We’re still on that track of liking to have one start one game and then the other. But everything we do is subject to change.”
The Browns head into an off-day on Sunday after six consecutive days of practice. Monday should bring more clarity to the decision the Browns have to make under center.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Hit With Harsh Demotion