Kevin Stefanski's comment will upset Browns fans who are calling for Shedeur Sanders

After a 2-7 start, the Cleveland Browns have nothing to lose. So, why not find out what they have in rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders? 

Browns fans certainly wouldn't mind seeing Sanders play after watching fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel struggle over his past five starts. During this span, the third-round pick out of Oregon has a 1-4 record. In a 27-20 road loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, he completed 17-of-32 passes (53.1%) for 167 yards and two touchdowns. 

Following the loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Gabriel would remain the team's starter. He's not changing his mind before a Week 11 home game against the Baltimore Ravens.   

Kevin Stefanski says Browns' offensive struggles don't fall on Dillon Gabriel

"I don't think it's fair to speculate," Stefanski said Monday while discussing when Sanders might play. "We're committed to getting better as an offense. Dillon is certainly committing to improving every which way we can. All the while, all of our players, young players, are developing and working so hard behind the scenes to make sure they're getting better on a daily basis." 

But no matter how much Gabriel improves, he may never be a franchise QB. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, the 24-year-old lacks prototypical size for a viable starting QB. He also doesn't seem to have the arm. The offensive signal-caller ranks last among 33 eligible QBs in yards per pass attempt (five). 

Sanders, meanwhile, may have more upside than Gabriel. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound QB displayed pinpoint accuracy in two seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes. During this span, he completed 651-of-907 passes (71.8%), setting the FBS record for completion percentage in a career. 

Stefanski may be hesitant to play Sanders — the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion — because it could create a potential media circus. The increased attention, however, will be a minor inconvenience if the team improves with the 23-year-old QB at the helm. 

If Shedeur flops as a starter, what's the big deal? The Browns aren't contending for a Super Bowl this season. And at least they'll know whether they should target a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, perhaps Indiana's Fernando Mendoza or Alabama's Ty Simpson.