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Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Decision Draws Negative Review from Cleveland Radio

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 12:15 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns blew out the Miami Dolphins 31-6 on Sunday to secure their second win of the season. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel got his third straight start since being promoted, while the Browns (2-5) traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the win, Gabriel was 13-of-18 passing for 116 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was sacked twice and had four carries for 12 total yards on the ground.

Despite the lopsided score late in the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski decided to keep Gabriel in the game throughout the fourth quarter instead of giving fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders his first taste of a regular-season NFL game.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) on the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens.Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Sanders was picked in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Browns, while Gabriel was selected in the third round. Since the start of the season, Gabriel has been above Sanders on the depth chart, which has been constantly criticized by fans.

On Monday, ESPN Cleveland radio hosts spoke on Stefanski's decision to leave Gabriel on the field to finish the game rather than inserting Sanders to get his first career snaps.

"What more is Dillon Gabriel gonna prove," host Aaron Goldhammer said. "I would've maybe given Shedeur just a little feel of what it's like to be out there. ... Stefanski wanted to let Dillon finish his first win. If Shedeur goes in there and leads a touchdown drive, all of a sudden, you've just brought up a quarterback controversy out of nowhere."

Should the Browns have put Shedeur Sanders in the 4th quarter yesterday? @HammerNation19 sees it both ways... pic.twitter.com/ivRKVsOIEo
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 20, 2025

While Gabriel didn't have the most incredible game, Goldhammer said he understands why Stefanski left Gabriel in the game. However, he also said that he would've given Sanders a chance to play.

With Gabriel still the starter and Sanders still the backup going forward, it will be interesting to see if Sanders gets in at all this season.

The Browns' next game will come on the road against the New England Patriots (5-2) on Sunday at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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