

Joe Flacco officially winning the Cleveland Browns‘ starting quarterback job didn’t come as a shock.
The veteran’s experience and leadership made him the safest option after a competitive training camp. But what’s happening behind Flacco is where the real uncertainty lies and it could spell trouble for Shedeur Sanders’ NFL journey before it ever gets off the ground.
Heading into the team’s third preseason matchup, Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart remains unchanged. Sanders, the former Colorado standout, remains slotted fourth behind Dillon Gabriel and veteran backup candidates.
While Sanders has looked promising in his limited appearances, especially compared to Gabriel, he hasn’t gained any traction. The window to rise up the depth chart is closing fast.
In the team’s most recent preseason outing, Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and threw two touchdowns, leading three scoring drives while adding 19 rushing yards. Gabriel, on the other hand, went 13-of-18 for 143 yards but failed to produce a touchdown and threw a costly interception. Statistically, Sanders outperformed him, yet the Browns coaching staff has remained firm in their evaluation.
Cowherd backs Sanders but questions his fit in the NFL’s conservative quarterback mold
National sports commentator Colin Cowherd has weighed in on the Browns‘ backup quarterback battle, and he favors Sanders over Gabriel-albeit with some caveats. On a recent episode of The Herd, Cowherd explained why, in his view, Sanders deserves to be the QB2.
“I would have a hard time building around [Gabriel],” Cowherd said. “I like his temperament more than Shedeur, who is silly and kind of goofy. But I think Shedeur was underdrafted; he is bigger and moves well. I would [take] Shedeur over Dillon Gabriel. I don’t think either is transformational.”
It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement, but it does highlight one of Sanders’ biggest challenges: perception. His flashy demeanor, social media presence, and off-field persona can rub traditional football minds the wrong way. Coaches and general managers often lean toward quarterbacks who follow the script, both in demeanor and demeanor. Sanders, for better or worse, doesn’t blend in.
Cowherd acknowledged that Gabriel may be “easier to deal with,” but he also emphasized that talent matters more in the long run-and Sanders, in his view, has the edge there. Still, Sanders‘ personality remains a divisive factor inside team facilities, especially in an NFL culture that often favors predictability over star power unless that power is already proven.
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