The quarterback shuffle in the Cleveland Browns this season has created more chaos and uncertainty for the next season than one anticipated, especially for head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Josh Cribbs recently weighed in about how his decision to push rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback just might be why Stefanski is on thin ice. In an episode of the podcast Top Dawg Show, the former Browns wide receiver opined that Stefanksi was adamant on starting with Gabriel, and he was a major disappointment, while Shedeur Sanders fared better.

“Dillon was Stefanski's guy,” Cribbs said.

“I think that is a big move when you get a quarterback that does not succeed. I think the payoff and the stalemate with two quarterbacks, and one of them pans out.” 

Stefanski Trusted the Wrong Player

In his first year in the league, Gabriel scored seven touchdowns for 937 yards across 10 games. His average compilation rate stands at 59.5 per cent only, and he was sacked 19 times. Gabriel’s season-worst (or career-worst) games were against the Steelers in Week 6 and the Jets in Week 9 when he was sacked six times each.

Stefanski’s reluctance to let Sanders start for the franchise remains unclear. He debuted in Week 11 against the Ravens after Gabriel was injured and unfit to play. Although not a force to be reckoned with, Sanders was a breakout star for the Browns.

For 1,289 yards, he has made seven interceptions. His completion rate and interceptions, lower than Gabriel’s, stand at 57.4 per cent and 10, respectively. But Sanders has displayed some great performances, such as his four-touchdown one against the Titans in Week 14. 

Experts and commentators are fixated on Sanders and how the next year will be. According to NFL reporter Ian Rapaport, general manager Andrew Berry will be involved in making key decisions about Kevin Stefanski’s future in the franchise. While Berry is also under fire for the 2025 draft picks, it is Stefanski who picked Gabriel over Sanders. 

Cribbs believes that this call made by Stefanski was detrimental to his six-year stint with the Browns. No one from the management, nor Stefanski himself, has either confirmed or denied the speculations yet. Will Stefanski’s previous successful years buy him some more with the Browns?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das