Browns Make Shedeur Sanders Decision Following Starting QB Announcement

The Cleveland Browns will be starting a new quarterback this Sunday--but it's not going to be Shedeur Sanders.

Cleveland announced Wednesday morning that Dillon Gabriel, the team's 2025 third-round draft pick, will make his first career start in Week 5, replacing veteran Joe Flacco. The left-handed rookie, who has appeared in two of Cleveland's first four games in a reserve role, will start against the Minnesota Vikings in London Sunday.

"We've named Dillon Gabriel the starting quarterback," the Browns said succinctly on X/Twitter earlier.

While Gabriel is getting ready to be QB1 in Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders, the Browns' other first-year signal caller, is still waiting his turn. Sanders has been the team's third-stringer all season, and according to the latest reports, he will remain in that role for the time being.

Sanders still No. 3

ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that the Browns intend to make Flacco the team's backup this weekend with Sanders behind him.

"Joe Flacco will serve as Dillon Gabriel’s backup and Shedeur Sanders will remain Cleveland’s third-string QB," Schefter tweeted.

According to NFL rules, the third-string quarterback must be inactive on game day and is only available in an emergency situation. If both Gabriel and Flacco go down with injuries, Sanders can play. Otherwise, he'll remain on the sideline.

All according to plan?

It wouldn't shock us if Sanders does see the field at some point this year, but the Browns aren't going to rush the fifth-round rookie.

Last month, NFL insider Dianna Russini at The Athletic wrote that Cleveland is focused on developing Sanders, who likely wouldn't see game action this season "unless things get really weird."

"It was GM Andrew Berry’s call, rooted in his belief that Cleveland’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Sanders and help him grow into an NFL quarterback," Russini said. "It will be a process, and the Browns want to keep developing him."

Sanders feels he's 'ready'

While the former University of Colorado star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders has stuck with the Browns' plan so far, he also admitted in a recent ESPN interview that he feels "ready to play right now."

"I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that," Sanders said. 

He's going to have to wait at least a little longer to have a chance to prove it.