Heading into the 2025 season, what once looked like a promising rookie trajectory for Shedeur Sanders is now clouded with uncertainty. Despite his pedigree as the son of Deion Sanders and a flashy college resume, Sanders finds himself buried behind Dillon Gabriel and veteran Joe Flacco on Cleveland’s depth chart. Gabriel, a third-round pick, has already been named the backup, and that sends a strong message that the team’s confidence lies elsewhere.
Experts and insiders have begun openly questioning how much opportunity Sanders will really get. Analysts argue that while Sanders was hyped before the draft, his slide to the fifth round signaled concerns in evaluations, and those concerns may now be surfacing in Cleveland’s decision-making. Meanwhile, Gabriel has impressed in key moments, earning trust in both practices and the preseason. The path forward seems to favor Gabriel as the more reliable option in the immediate future.
However, that conventional narrative was shaken recently when a new update emerged regarding Sanders’ standing with the team. It is the kind of news that he certainly will not welcome.
Dan Patrick on Shedeur Sanders: “They Might Not Give Him a Chance”
On Cam Newton’s podcast “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” on September 27, NFL analyst Dan Patrick delivered a blunt assessment of the Browns’ quarterback situation. When Newton asked Patrick whether Shedeur Sanders has a realistic shot this year, Patrick did not hold back.
“Well, from what I’m told, Dillon Gabriel has been better, has played better, and is more ready, whatever that means.” Dan Patrick said. “But this is what I was told. I think, if you can sit and watch Flacco and understand preparing for the game, and look, Shedeur is not an athletic quarterback, where he’s going to play a different game. Obviously, he’s more athletic than Flaco, but I said when they drafted him, I thought that he would play and he’d start a game this year, and hopefully he does just to get that opportunity.”
Patrick continued with an even heavier prediction. “Flacco is not going to be there next year, I would not think. But they have two first-round picks in what is supposed to be a quarterback-heavy draft. I do not even know if he is going to get an opportunity with Cleveland.”
Taken together, Patrick’s words serve as a public warning that Sanders may not even be given the chance to showcase himself. Rather than simply being lower on the depth chart, the implication is that the Browns might completely bypass him and instead commit to Gabriel or turn to future draft picks.
In his fiery take, former Colorado Buffalo star stated on Sept. 27, “I don’t think playing or not playing is in my hands,” Sanders said. “Based on the situation, if things happen, if things pan out where I play, then I’ll be out there and I’ll be ready to play. I’m ready to play right now.” QB3 knows where this is going- a phase where darkness might be waiting for him.
To understand how this situation unfolded, it helps to look closely at Sanders’ preseason showing and how it compares to Gabriel’s. Across the preseason, Sanders completed 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His debut against the Carolina Panthers was his strongest outing, when he went 14 of 23 for 138 yards and two scores, while also adding four carries for 19 rushing yards. In his final preseason appearance against the Rams, however, he was held to just three completions for 14 yards and also committed a fumble, per the Beacon Journal.
Reports from training camp initially painted an encouraging picture. Sanders reportedly went 14 practices without throwing an interception and posted a 70 percent completion rate in drills. An oblique injury then cost him valuable practice reps and limited his rhythm at a crucial time when Gabriel was gaining momentum. That lack of consistency, combined with a quiet finish in the preseason, made it harder to view Sanders as a safe and dependable option for the Browns.
Gabriel’s performance and handling by the team told a different story. In two preseason games, he completed 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. More importantly, Cleveland’s coaching staff made it official by naming Gabriel the backup behind Flacco. Head coach Kevin Stefanski even remarked publicly, “We feel comfortable with Dillon serving that role. Kenny’s a guy I think very highly of, and so do I wish him well. He’s a really good football player, but those are the type of decisions that you have to make.” That vote of confidence underscored Gabriel’s growing trust inside the building, something Sanders has not yet fully secured.
What Lies Ahead For Shedeur Sanders?
The implications of these developments are significant. Sanders may now be relegated to a season on the margins, sitting behind both Flacco and Gabriel with very few opportunities to show growth in live action. Even if Flacco’s age or performance opens the door for a younger quarterback, the Browns appear more inclined to lean on Gabriel. Patrick’s warning about the franchise possibly drafting another quarterback in 2026 only strengthens the idea that Sanders may not have a clear path to a role in Cleveland.
That said, the NFL is unpredictable. Injuries, scheme adjustments, or one sudden breakout performance could change the trajectory in an instant. Sanders’ preseason flashes, particularly his debut against Carolina, showed why some scouts believed he could grow into a viable starter. For now, though, the message is clear. Dillon Gabriel has become the more trusted young option for the franchise, while Shedeur Sanders faces a steep uphill climb to prove that he belongs.
