Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Put on Notice Ahead of Jets Game
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Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel needs to start producing.
Dillon Gabriel will remain the Cleveland Browns‘ starting quarterback for now, but the rookie needs to start producing in a hurry to keep his job.
Gabriel took over as the Browns’ starter in Week 5. He’s posted a 1-3 record so far and has not provided the spark that the team hoped for after benching veteran Joe Flacco. Gabriel has passed for 702 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. More concerning has been his unwillingness to look downfield. Gabriel is averaging just 4.9 yards per attempt — the lowest in the NFL among starting quarterbacks.
The Browns plan to give Gabriel — a third-round rookie — a longer leash than Flacco. But if he doesn’t turn it around soon, the Browns will start thinking about Shedeur Sanders.
“I think the Browns need to give Gabriel a little more time to come up the learning curve and develop more timing and rhythm with his skill players before they sit him down. I would think they’d want to give him at least another four games or so before seeing what Shedeur Sanders can do down the stretch if he’s ready,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said. “But Gabriel must show improvement in the passing game and put some points on the board to keep his job. … It’s not fair to the defense or the rest of the team to field a quarterback who isn’t getting the job done when there are alternatives.”
Browns Announce Major Offensive Change
GettyBrowns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski is relinquishing his offensive playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees
The Browns are not changing quarterbacks but they are swapping play callers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has relinquished the duties, and first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will now call the plays on game day. Stefanski said he made the decision after weighing it over the bye week.
“Yeah, I look at everything, every week. Certainly, the bye week gives you an opportunity to look at everything and bottom line is we have to better — we have to better in a lot of facets on the offensive side,” Stefanski said. “I just felt like Tommy is somebody that I believe in. Obviously hired him here a couple years back because I really believe in Tommy as a coach, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked and I just feel like this is the right time for this.”
The Browns’ offense currently ranks near the bottom of the league in yards (263.5) and points (15.8) per game.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Dealing With Back Injury
Getty ImagesBrowns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is still dealing with a back injury.
Sanders did not play during the Browns’ Week 8 matchup due to a back injury he suffered later in the week. He tested it out pregame but the team did not feel like he was ready to assume the backup role. Elevated practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe stepped into that spot.
Sanders received treatmeant on his back through the bye week. He was absent from practice on Monday as the Browns returned from the break. Stefanski did not have much of an update on his fifth-round rookie.
“Still dealing with the back injury, but getting better,” Stefanski said.
Sanders has said previously that he expects to be ready for Sunday’s game against the one-win New York Jets.
Saquon Barkley Reacts Strongly to White House Using Taylor Swift Song as Background Music for TikTok Video, Sparking Online Fury
Saquon Barkley, the standout running back for the New York Giants, has made headlines after reacting strongly to the White House using a Taylor Swift song as background music for a video posted on their official TikTok account. The choice of song has sparked a frenzied debate online, with many fans and critics weighing in on the controversial move, bringing up past tensions between the Swift and Trump camps.
In a tweet that quickly went viral, Barkley called the decision “unbelievable,” saying, “Using a Taylor Swift song for a political video is a whole new level of disrespect. What are they thinking? Her music isn’t a prop for political agendas. This isn’t just about music – it’s about how this situation has been handled poorly.”
The video in question, which was posted to the White House’s TikTok account, featured the song “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift. While the clip aimed to highlight certain policies and initiatives, the choice of the song did not sit well with many, especially since Swift has been one of the more vocal critics of former President Donald Trump.
Barkley’s tweet ignited a firestorm of online reactions, with Swift’s supporters expressing frustration that her music was being used in this context. Some fans pointed to the long-running and highly publicized feud between Taylor Swift and Trump, which dates back several years, as a reason why this particular song choice felt out of place. Swift has consistently opposed Trump’s politics and even publicly endorsed his political opponents in past elections.
“The irony here is off the charts,” said one Twitter user. “The White House knows exactly what they’re doing, and it’s disrespecting Taylor Swift’s voice by using her song in a campaign video. This is nothing less than a slap in the face to everything she’s stood for.”
The tensions between Swift and Trump are well-documented. Swift has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on social issues, and has even gone so far as to endorse his political adversaries. Trump, in turn, has criticized Swift on several occasions, calling her out on Twitter and mocking her for her political opinions.
The choice of Swift's song seems to have amplified these existing divides, as the TikTok video was quickly viewed as yet another political move aimed at manipulating Swift’s brand and public image for a certain agenda. Swift’s fans and political opponents of Trump were quick to point out that the singer’s music should not be used for political purposes without her consent.
In response to the backlash, the White House has not issued a formal statement regarding the controversy. However, the incident has brought even more attention to the already divisive political atmosphere, with both sides of the political spectrum using the situation as fuel for further discussions about celebrity influence in politics.
Saquon Barkley’s response has not been the only one, as countless others have chimed in, with many questioning the ethics of using an artist’s work without their permission, particularly when it concerns polarizing figures like Trump and Swift.
“This entire situation is a reminder that even something as simple as music can stir up emotions,” one political analyst noted. “In today’s climate, every move, every song, every tweet is scrutinized, and people are increasingly aware of the narratives behind these actions.”
As the debate rages on, the drama between the White House, Taylor Swift, and the ongoing political tensions is far from over. Whether or not the White House will change its approach to using popular music in future content remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation continues to spark intense reactions across social media platforms.
