Apart from a low rank on the scoreboard, the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback dilemma seems to spill over into the next one.

The Browns need to decide what roles rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will play to make space for upcoming drafts, especially after this year’s drama.

Should You Draft Another Quarterback?

When Dillon Gabriel replaced Sheduer Sanders against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, he was booed by the audience in the stadium. Or was it for Stefanski?

Anyway, Gabriel was filling in for an injured Sanders, who had to leave to tend his injured finger. 

That large-scale aggressive reaction prompted journalist and Browns’ insider Mary Kay Cabot to question just how important Sanders is. 

On the Orange and Brown Talk podcast, Cabot said, “The thing about Shedeur is that he just is a different animal when it comes to media attention and social media attention. It’s just different. It’s very, very different.”

If the Browns do draft another quarterback, such as Fernando Mendoza, who’s at the top in the 2026 Mock Draft, what role will Sanders take up? Would Mendoza be subjected to the same aggressive responses as Gabriel? 

But if Sanders is made the “franchise guy,” the management needs to draft strong offensive linemen and receivers to support the 23-year-old. A big ask for a rookie who has resulted in polarized opinions this season. 

With six touchdowns for 1,103 yards and eight interceptions, Sanders is either not enough according to Jake Trotter or a breakout star, as per Joe Thomas, a former Browns tackle.

Although Sanders’ QBR is 18.6 and has been graded 48.6 by Pro Football Focus, he has the public’s favor. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has faced questions about favoritism for picking Gabriel, graded at 40, as the starting quarterback initially. 

To show his disagreement with that decision, the rookie, in a media availability session, refused to speak any answers but mimed them. Cabot pointed out his positive media interactions, which might raise issues in the next season for draft picks. 

“I don’t think you could ignore the fact that he’s larger than life in so many ways,” she said. “And he does have that sort of Tim Tebow-ish effect.”

Cabot said Sanders, “brings with him something big and powerful that would be difficult to deal with if you were trying to throw all of your support behind a No. 1 pick.”

Stefanksi, who was under heavy scrutiny this season, may not have any say in the next one. The responsibility of next year now rests on the management and Sanders.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das