Cleveland Browns Head Coach Throws Cold Water On Shedeur Sanders Replacing Dillon Gabriel
As the Cleveland Browns head into their bye week, a quarterback controversy is brewing among fans and media, but head coach Kevin Stefanski is holding firm. Following a 31-13 loss to the New England Patriots that dropped starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s record to 1-3, Stefanski made it clear that a change to rookie Shedeur Sanders is not his focus.
Cleveland Browns Not Likely To Start Shedeur Sanders
Gabriel’s performance against the Patriots drew criticism after he passed for just 156 yards and threw his first two career interceptions. The passing offense struggled to find a rhythm, with only two completions going to a wide receiver. These struggles have intensified calls for the Browns to turn to the highly-touted rookie, Shedeur Sanders, who missed the game with a back injury.
However, when asked directly about the possibility of making a switch, Stefanski quickly shut down the speculation. “Yeah, honestly, my focus is where we are right now,” he said. “That’s not my focus.”
Instead of pointing fingers at the quarterback, Stefanski emphasized that the entire team needs to improve and that the coaching staff shares responsibility for putting players in a position to succeed. “I just want to make the point that we just have to be better in every area, and we’ll look at everything we do,” he stated, reaffirming his support for Gabriel.
Veteran Support and a Bye Week Reset
While Gabriel’s numbers through four starts have been modest, he has earned the backing of key figures in the locker room. Veteran offensive lineman Joel Bitonio came to the quarterback’s defense, stressing that the offense’s issues are not solely on Gabriel’s shoulders.
“He’s going to keep improving. He’s had four games and some tough matchups. It’s not a one-person issue,” Bitonio said. “This bye week will give him a chance to reset and it will be good for his growth.”
Bitonio urged for patience, noting that four games is a tiny sample size for a young player. He explained that the bye week offers a critical opportunity for the offense to self-scout and tailor the game plan more effectively to Gabriel’s strengths. “What does he like? Where does he like to move in the pocket? Where does he like to set up? All of those things are questions we have to answer,” he explained.
For now, the starting job belongs to Dillon Gabriel. The Browns will use the bye week to re-evaluate and recalibrate, hoping to get their season back on track. However, the team faces a crucial test against the New York Jets after the break. If the offensive struggles continue, the calls for Shedeur Sanders will only grow louder.
