What has already impressed Browns' Shedeur Sanders about Dillon Gabriel

Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel have only been teammates since the Cleveland Browns acquired both quarterbacks during the 2025 NFL Draft in late April. 

It seems they have already begun building somewhat of a bond as they prepare to compete with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for reps and in-game snaps this summer. 

"Everything’s been cool," Sanders said during a recent chat with DJ Siddiqi of SportsCasting about sharing a locker room with Gabriel. "He’s a cool person. I like how he handles situations, especially just the negative media that’s coming his way. I’m just happy he’s positive. He’s able to handle everything. We’re truly cool."

Gabriel has become somewhat of a forgotten man among active Cleveland quarterbacks as it pertains to national media attention. Ahead of the draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. named Sanders as the top quarterback in this year's class. Kiper had Gabriel ranked as the draft's QB8. 

Nevertheless, Cleveland made Gabriel the 94th pick of the player-selection process as Sanders' slide down the draft order became the most-discussed NFL story of those three days. The Browns later traded up to select Sanders with choice No. 144.

As of Tuesday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Gabriel as a +830 betting underdog to emerge as Cleveland's 2025 Week 1 starter. That outlet had Sanders at +370 odds to win the job, while Flacco was the top favorite at +116 odds. 

Meanwhile, members of the NFL community continue to wonder if Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady essentially told general manager John Spytek not to select Sanders at any point during the draft. Brady previously mentored Sanders, and the former Colorado star told Siddiqi that he hasn't spoken with the seven-time Super Bowl champion since the conclusion of the draft. 

"I’ve mainly just been focusing on the team, everybody that’s currently around me, the coaches on the team. I haven’t really been on my phone much or talking to many people," Sanders added. "I really don’t even talk to my family. It’s one of those situations where I just have to lock in, stay focused on what’s present now."

Most expect the Browns will start Flacco or Pickett to open the upcoming season, and Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand thinks the club could hold onto the four active quarterbacks through at least a portion of the campaign. Thus, Sanders and Gabriel should want to help each other improve through the summer as they hope to make either Flacco or Pickett surplus to requirements.