Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel 8 walks off the field following an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, NJ. /Cal Media East Rutherford United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251109_zma_c04_457 Copyright: xChristopherxSzagolax
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel 8 walks off the field following an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, NJ. /Cal Media East Rutherford United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251109_zma_c04_457 Copyright: xChristopherxSzagolax
Feb 18, 2026, 2:45 PM CUT
Major Hope for Shedeur Sanders as Browns Rumored to Trade Dillon Gabriel Before NFL Draft
Shedeur Sanders might have his competition for the QB 1 position taken out. According to new reports, the Cleveland Browns are predicted to trade quarterback Dillon Gabriel this offseason.
If the trade goes through, it would be a major relief for Sanders, who has the odds stacked against him. On Saturday, Matt Johnson of the Sportsnaut suggested that the Browns could replace Gabriel with Mac Jones.
“It’s going to take some real convincing for the San Francisco 49ers to make a Mac Jones trade,” Johnson wrote.
27-year-old Jones is a former Pro Bowler who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers. In the 2025 season, he scored 13 touchdowns for 2,151 yards and was intercepted only six times.
If the Browns bring in Jones, he would offer the franchise a consistent performance, which has been lacking in Gabriel and even Sanders.
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 07: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 leaves the field following the National Football League game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on December 7, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 07 Titans at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251207025
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 07: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 leaves the field following the National Football League game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on December 7, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 07 Titans at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251207025
Gabriel started in 10 games and managed seven touchdowns for 937 yards only. Sanders, on the flip side, watched him from the sideline as QB 4. A bitter blow, considering his rough slide in the 2025 NFL draft.
Projected to be a first-round draft pick, Shedeur Sanders was selected 144th overall by the Browns in the fifth round. Moreover, the 24-year-old was allowed to play from Week 11 only because Gabriel sustained a season-ending injury.
The Browns' mission is to fix their offense, which has ranked near the bottom of the league. Management is seeking upgrades at wide receiver and tackle to support a reliable franchise quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders Won’t Be the Only Beneficiary if the Trade Goes Through
Deshaun Watson, who has recovered from his Achilles injuries, is also vying for the starting position. If Gabriel is traded, he would only have to compete against Sanders.
This would simplify the decision for new head coach Todd Monken, allowing him to focus on one of these two quarterbacks. For Gabriel, a trade would offer a welcome clean slate after a rough debut.
Gabriel 25-year-old, was booed alongside former head coach Kevin Stefanski, who also faced criticism about what many fans thought was the mismanagement of Shedeur Sanders.
Finally, if the trade goes through, then the Browns will also free up cap space to pick up another QB during the 2026 NFL draft, if they trade for Mac Jones.
What do you think? Comment your opinions and follow the Cleveland Browns Community for more.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi