Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Exposed for Online Action Amid Calls to Bench Gabriel
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders drew attention after liking a social media post that called for the team to bench Dillon Gabriel and give him the starting job.
Gabriel has gone 1-3 as the Browns’ starter. He took over for Joe Flacco in Week 4 but has not provided a spark for the struggling Cleveland offense. The Browns are coming off a 32-13 loss to the New England Patriots, in which Gabriel threw for 156 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Gabriel’s struggles have led to calls for Sanders, especially with the Browns heading into a bye week, including from Browns reporter Brad Stainbrook.
“I’ve seen enough of Dillon Gabriel. It’s time for the Browns to start getting Shedeur Sanders ready after the bye week. Give him two weeks to take time, settle in, and make his first NFL start,” Stainbrook wrote on Instagram. “You didn’t draft him to sit forever… and this offense needs a spark. Gabriel’s had his shot, and the team feels flat. Let the rookie learn on the fly, make mistakes, and grow. There’s no better time to see what you’ve got in Shedeur.”
Stainbrook noted on X Monday that Sanders was among those who liked the post, though he stopped short of suggesting any tension between the two quarterbacks.
“Browns QB Shedeur Sanders liked my Instagram post where I called for the team to start the former Colorado quarterback following the bye week,” Stainbrook said. “Dillon and Shedeur get along great. This isn’t shade, just a young player showing he’s hungry and wants to play.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Shows Support for Dillon Gabriel
Sanders has already had his share of interesting moments with the Browns, including an interview where he silently mouthed his responses. But shortly before being named the backup following the trade of Joe Flacco, Sanders showed support for Gabriel.
“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon is ready for the game,” Sanders said. “So each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, everything. Prepare the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there any point in time. So, I’m overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I’m ready to play, but it’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make, then I’m fine with.”
He also banned negative chatter around the situation.
“We’re not on no negativity from now on, man, we’re not doing that. I’m just here to be positive and I don’t speak on anything negative. So that’s the new way,” Sanders said. “That’s what we’re going forward with. Anything negative, we’re not talking about it. we’re not speaking on it.”
Browns Rolling With Dillon Gabriel Over Shedeur Sanders
Gabriel’s outings have been less than inspiring, but the Browns are remaining patient with the third-round rookie. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to stick with Gabriel as the starter following the bye.
“Playing good on offense is about 11 guys on the field and us as coaches doing our job,” Stefanski said. “Obviously young players will learn in each outing that they’re out there. I think Dillon will continue to learn, will continue to get better, but it’s really an entire offensive type of thing where we all need to be better.”
Stefanski was asked directly why he’s not willing to give Sanders a shot to run the offense.
“Obviously, my focus is where we are right now,” Stefanski said. “That’s not my focus.”
The Browns will face the one-win New York Jets when they emerge from their bye week. The Nov. 4 trade deadline will have also passed by then.
Steelers’ Cam Heyward warns about ‘teach tape’ after ugly loss to Seahawks
Cam Heyward didn’t sugarcoat things after the Pittsburgh Steelers' ugly loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. The veteran defensive tackle called out breakdowns and said the game would provide plenty of “teach tape.” Chris Adamski of The Pittsburgh Tribune posted the interview on X, formerly Twitter.
“We had to be more aware of the routes; they were wide open in the first half, on that first drive,” Heyward said. “And in the second half, I don't think we just capitalized, whether it was third and long or advantageous situations for the defense. A lot of teach tape, of what not to do, and we gotta be better.”
Seattle beat Pittsburgh 31-17 on Sunday, closing strong in the fourth quarter after the Steelers failed to build momentum. The Seahawks leaned on Sam Darnold, who threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, and Kenneth Walker, who added 105 yards on the ground with a score. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba gave the secondary fits, finding space throughout the game.
Special teams added to the problems. A muffed kickoff turned into a quick Seahawks touchdown, swinging momentum at a time Pittsburgh desperately needed a stop. Those mistakes piled up and made it impossible for the Steelers to stay in the game.
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Heyward singled out receivers getting open too easily and his unit failing to take advantage of favorable third-down situations. He emphasized that the film review will show the lapses in coverage, alignment, and execution that turned manageable downs into big gains for Seattle.
This was far from just a defensive issue. Aaron Rodgers and the offense struggled to find rhythm, finishing with 203 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Untimely turnovers and short drives left the defense on the field longer than expected, compounding the pressure.
Now the Steelers have to regroup quickly. Mike Tomlin and his veterans will use this week to turn the “teach tape” into corrections, focusing on fundamentals, communication, and discipline. Heyward made it clear that the team can’t let one bad showing define them.
The message was simple: if Pittsburgh learns from this loss, it could be a turning point. If not, the same mistakes will keep showing up on tape and on Sundays.
