Dillon Gabriel denies taking a shot at Shedeur Sanders

Without context, some accused Gabriel of taking a shot at Sanders by referring to him as an “entertainer.” The rookie had to clarify after the game that was not the case, and that the “entertainers” he was referring to are media members.

“I am all about our team and each other,” Gabriel said. “I would never make that and I’ve said it before. That’s why it’s interesting. But for me, I’ve explained it. Entertainers are you all. Competitor, that’s what I am and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do.”

Aditi Kinkhabwala, who conducted the interview, also stuck up for Gabriel after the game by adding some context to his quote.

Without context, the quote could easily read as Gabriel dismissing Sanders as an entertainer, not a competitor. The full context makes it fairly clear that was not the case, and it does not make sense that Gabriel would be so negative about one of his teammates in public.

Gabriel and Sanders are both jockeying for position on the Cleveland depth chart. Saturday was a big opportunity for Gabriel, as Sanders was sidelined by an injury. He went 13/18 for 143 with no touchdowns and an interception that was returned for a Philadelphia touchdown. He wasn’t quite as good as Sanders was in his debut, but there is still a lot of preseason left.