sports and game - The Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition took an interesting turn this weekend when rookie QB Dillon Gabriel found himself clarifying comments made during his preseason debut against the Philadel...
phia Eagles.
During a CBS Sports broadcast interview, Gabriel made what many interpreted as a veiled criticism of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, saying 'there's entertainers and there's competitors.' The comment quickly sparked controversy given Sanders' high-profile status as the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and his recent draft selection.
Gabriel, selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, later explained that his comments were referring to the media as 'entertainers' rather than taking a shot at Sanders. The clarification came after his preseason performance where he completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, though he did commit two turnovers.
The situation underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding the Browns' quarterback competition, which features four players vying for the starting role. Veteran Joe Flacco has been taking first-team reps in practice, while Kenny Pickett and the two rookies compete for positioning on the depth chart.
Sanders, despite being selected two rounds after Gabriel, has generated significant media attention. His impressive preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers (14/23, 138 yards, 2 TDs) only increased the spotlight on the quarterback battle. However, Sanders missed Saturday's game due to an oblique injury, adding another layer of complexity to the competition.
The Browns' quarterback situation reflects a broader trend in the NFL where teams are increasingly willing to create open competitions for the starting role, even with established veterans on the roster. This approach has both benefits and drawbacks, as it can create healthy competition but also potentially divide locker rooms and fan bases.
During a CBS Sports broadcast interview, Gabriel made what many interpreted as a veiled criticism of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, saying 'there's entertainers and there's competitors.' The comment quickly sparked controversy given Sanders' high-profile status as the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and his recent draft selection.
Gabriel, selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, later explained that his comments were referring to the media as 'entertainers' rather than taking a shot at Sanders. The clarification came after his preseason performance where he completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, though he did commit two turnovers.
The situation underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding the Browns' quarterback competition, which features four players vying for the starting role. Veteran Joe Flacco has been taking first-team reps in practice, while Kenny Pickett and the two rookies compete for positioning on the depth chart.
Sanders, despite being selected two rounds after Gabriel, has generated significant media attention. His impressive preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers (14/23, 138 yards, 2 TDs) only increased the spotlight on the quarterback battle. However, Sanders missed Saturday's game due to an oblique injury, adding another layer of complexity to the competition.
The Browns' quarterback situation reflects a broader trend in the NFL where teams are increasingly willing to create open competitions for the starting role, even with established veterans on the roster. This approach has both benefits and drawbacks, as it can create healthy competition but also potentially divide locker rooms and fan bases.