Hold onto your helmets, football fans, because the Cleveland Browns are shaking things up at quarterback—and it’s sparking some serious debate. Rookie Shedeur Sanders is set to make his second career start this Sunday against the 49ers, and the team is openly considering giving him an ‘extended look’ as their starting QB moving forward. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Sanders really the long-term answer, or is this just a temporary fix for a struggling offense? Let’s dive in.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick out of Colorado, first stepped into the spotlight in Week 11 when fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion against the Ravens. His debut wasn’t exactly stellar—completing just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. But fast forward to last week’s matchup against the Raiders, and Sanders showed glimpses of potential, going 11 of 20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, and a pick, leading the Browns to a 24-10 victory. That win, paired with Gabriel’s inconsistent performance when healthy, has head coach Kevin Stefanski sticking with Sanders—a decision that’s raising eyebrows across the league.
And this is the part most people miss: Gabriel, despite clearing concussion protocol, hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard. Since taking over as the starter in Week 5, the Browns went 1-5 with Gabriel under center. His lone win? A blowout against the Dolphins where he managed just 116 passing yards. While he’s thrown seven touchdowns to only two interceptions, his 59.2% completion rate and 5.1 yards per attempt are far from impressive. In fact, he ranks 31st out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in QBR. Ouch.
So, is Sanders the better option? It’s hard to say definitively, but the bar isn’t exactly high. With practice squad QB Bailey Zappe as the only other healthy option, the Browns are in a tight spot. Plus, let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Deshaun Watson’s injury-riddled tenure hasn’t panned out as hoped, leaving Cleveland desperately searching for a franchise quarterback. If neither Gabriel nor Sanders proves to be the answer by the end of the season, the Browns will likely turn to free agency, trades, or the draft—though the 2026 QB class isn’t exactly wowing scouts. With two first-round picks in their pocket, the draft might be their best bet.
Here’s the million-dollar question: Are the Browns making the right move by giving Sanders a longer look, or are they setting themselves up for more disappointment? And if Sanders falters, where do they go from here? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is just heating up.
