The Cleveland Browns entered the week expecting to work through their usual issues, but Dillon Gabriel’s concussion immediately reshaped the entire quarterback picture. What started as a routine injury update quickly turned into the moment Shedeur Sanders was pushed into the center of Cleveland’s plans. And the timing couldn’t be more critical for a rookie who began the year nowhere near the starting conversation.
Once NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke down the situation, the tone shifted even further. His detailed explanation made it clear that this isn’t a minor storyline or a temporary fill-in moment. Instead, it’s the most significant decision Cleveland will make this week, and Sanders is suddenly the name driving national attention.
Ian Rapoport Drops Update on Browns QB Shift That Revolves Around Shedeur Sanders
When Rapoport was asked, “Ian, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, the Browns have a bad record, but they’re still intriguing. Tell us what the deal is,” he wasted no time outlining the reality of the situation. “Yeah. And they’re about to get a little more intriguing,” he began, immediately signaling that the Browns’ quarterback room had taken a genuine turn.
He continued with the facts, “We’ll start with the health situation. Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion this past Sunday, knocking him out of the game, which is why Sanders was playing in the second half. And every player is different in the way every player respond to a concussion is different. And we’ll see how Gabriel progresses through the protocol this week.” With that, Rapoport made it clear that Gabriel’s status remains fluid and completely dependent on the protocol.
From there, he explained how the league typically handles similar situations. “We’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks take really hard hits, miss a week or maybe miss two weeks and be able to come back. That certainly leaves a door open for Shedeur Sanders playing on Sunday.” In other words, the Browns are preparing for both outcomes, but the window for Sanders is undeniably open.
Rapoport then addressed the online chatter questioning Sanders’ lack of first-team practice work. “There was a lot of discussion, mostly online, about how this backup quarterback, who began the year as a third-string quarterback, didn’t get any first-team reps. That is literally normal. That is basically every backup quarterback.”
To reinforce the point, he added an example everyone understood. “If you watch, let’s just say the Falcons and Kirk Cousins came in and didn’t look good, well, he also didn’t get a lot of first-team reps. Backup quarterbacks almost always get basically no or very limited first-team reps”, he further added.
With that context, Rapoport turned to the week ahead. “If Shedeur starts this week, which again seems to be the way it’s going, he is going to get all the reps. He’ll be more prepared than he has been. And the product will be what it is.” That line set the expectation: this would be the first fully prepared version of Shedeur Sanders the NFL has seen.
He wrapped it up with a final observation that captured the growing attention around Cleveland. “I think you’re right. At least for whatever reason, a lot of people are going to be watching the Cleveland Browns this week,” Rapoport added. But as Browns HC Kevin Stefanski might start with Sanders, there are plenty of challenges ahead for a rookie QB.
Major Challenges Ahead of Shedeur Sanders if Kevin Stefanski Starts Him
1. A rapid transition from backup to full commander of the offense
For the first time all season, Sanders will control every first-team rep. That responsibility comes fast, and he must process the entire game plan with starter-level urgency.
2. Operating within an offense still searching for rhythm
Cleveland hasn’t been a clean, well-tuned unit this season. Sanders steps into a system that will demand he stabilize protection, timing, and communication on the fly.
3. Facing a defense prepared to exploit his inexperience
Coordinators love testing rookies. Sanders should expect disguised coverage, pressure disguises, and defensive traps designed specifically to stress young quarterbacks.
4. Performing under a spotlight far brighter than most rookies face
Because of who he is and the attention he draws, every snap will be magnified. That brings an added layer of pressure that he must manage from the opening drive.
5. Playing through the uncertainty of Gabriel’s recovery timeline.
If Gabriel progresses quickly, Sanders may only get one opportunity. That reality raises the stakes on every decision, every throw, and every possession.
Shedeur Sanders didn’t ask for this moment, but no doubt, he was praying for the opportunity like any rookie QB. The NFL rarely hands out second chances when the first one is this big. With Gabriel’s status uncertain and a full week of starter reps ahead, Sanders finally gets the opportunity to show what he looks like when properly prepared and fully supported.
Whether he steadies the offense or exposes the gaps in his readiness, the Browns will get real answers. This week won’t define his entire career, but it will define how Cleveland views him moving forward. And for the first time since he entered the NFL, Shedeur Sanders controls the narrative.
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