Shedeur Sanders Jersey Retired but NFL Dreams Hit Reality as Third-String QB

The Cleveland Browns have made their quarterback decision official, and it comes with a surprise twist. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Tuesday, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that rookie Dillon Gabriel will open the season as Joe Flacco’s primary backup.

Dillon Gabriel Steps Up in Cleveland

It’s a rapid rise for Gabriel, the third-round pick who went from draft-day uncertainty to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. The move follows a series of shakeups in Cleveland’s quarterback room.

The Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick and released veteran Tyler Huntley, slimming down to three passers: Flacco, Gabriel, and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.

The announcement comes with Deshaun Watson sidelined on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, rehabbing an Achilles injury that is expected to keep him out most of the season.

That leaves Cleveland banking on Flacco’s veteran steadiness and Gabriel’s quick development to navigate the opening stretch.

Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, looked like a dark-horse contender after a strong preseason debut — 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30–10 win over Carolina — but injuries and inconsistency derailed his push. A shaky finale against the Rams cemented his status as the team’s third option.

For Gabriel, though, the story is different. Once doubted as a mid-round project, the former Oregon quarterback has climbed into one of the NFL’s most valuable backup roles. If Flacco falters or health becomes an issue, the Browns could be turning to Gabriel far sooner than expected.