The insider says that the change to Rees likely means Sanders will be starting games soon
Posted November 4, 2025
The Cleveland Browns made a major offensive change, which one insider believes is good news for Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns are coming off their bye week and made a change on offense as offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will now be calling the plays instead of head coach Kevin Stefanski. Although Dillon Gabriel is remaining the starting quarterback, NFL insider Ken Carman believes that it is good news for Sanders and his chances at starting.
“If you have 4 quarterbacks in a competition, the head coach can’t keep an eye on all of them,” Carman said on 92.3 The Fan. “I imagine Tommy Rees was working with the younger quarterbacks, working with Dillon Gabriel, working with Shedeur Sanders. You are going to see Shedeur Sanders at some point here. Regardless, unless his back is that locked up, and he goes on IR. You are going to see Shedeur at some point this season.”
Carman believes Sanders is comfortable with Rees, and having him call plays is good for the rookie quarterback.
The insider also believes that the change to Rees likely does mean Sanders will start games soon. But the rookie quarterback is dealing with a back injury, which led to him being inactive in Week 8 before the Week 9 bye week.
Sanders Dealing With Back Injury
Although many are expecting the Browns to start Sanders at some point this season, he could be inactive again in Week 10.
Sanders’ back is still an issue as he didn’t practice on Monday, according to Stefanski.
“Yeah, still dealing with the back injury, but getting better,” Stefanski said about Sanders.
However, Sanders claimed after Week 8 that his back wasn’t an issue, and it wasn’t his call to be inactive as he felt like he would be healthy.
“I guarantee I’m going to be good,” Sanders added.
Sanders has yet to appear in an NFL game this season, and Stefanski admitted the back injury was disappointing for him. But the hope was that he would get healthier in the bye week and be able to return as the backup in Week 10.
“Yeah, he obviously came in Saturday with his back injury. We were hopeful that he’d be able to move around well enough to suit up on Sunday,” Stefanski said. “But, put him through a pre-game warm up, and obviously just didn’t feel like he was ready to play. But he’s getting better every day and I’m hopeful that he’ll continue to improve.”
Browns Make Change on Offense
Amid the Browns’ offensive struggles, the team has made a major change.
Stefanski announced that he’s relinquished offensive play-calling, and Rees will be calling plays.
“On play-calling, I’m going to have Tommy (Rees) call the plays on offense,” Stefanski said on Monday. “These are things that I’m always looking at, what can we do better? I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy. He’s more than capable, so excited for him, but bottom line is we have to just get better, collectively.”
Stefanski has full confidence in Rees, as he said he’s someone he believes in.
Cleveland is a 1.5-point underdog on the road against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Eagles Re-Sign Familiar Face, Cut OL Coming Off Bye Week
The Philadelphia Eagles made a few small moves coming out of their bye week, re-signing wide receiver Danny Gray to the practice squad, while also releasing veteran guard Sua Opeta to make room.
It’s been a busy week for the Eagles despite the team not playing. Philly acquired All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens, before making another huge trade early Monday, sending a 2026 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
The Eagles also previously announced they had opened the practice window for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, who spent a month on injured reserve. With Bennett and Alexander, they’ll have more reinforcements in the secondary than they’ve had in recent weeks.
More on Philadelphia Eagles Re-Signing WR Danny Gray
A 2022 third-round pick for the San Francisco 49ers, Gray has good straight-line speed, decent size and special teams value. This is actually his second stint in Philadelphia after he spent parts of 2024 and the 2025 offseason on the team’s PS. He signed a reserve/future deal with Philly in February, was waived in July and now returns in November 3.
His familiarity likely played a big role in his coming back. The Eagles WRs group has been logging a lot of miles lately, and bringing Gray back to the practice squad gives Philly some additional speed if they need it.
“We find time to do the things that are necessary to help the team win, help the team get better, whatever it may be,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said heading into the bye. Looks like bringing a familiar face back could be part of the bigger picture moving forward.
A Preview of What’s to Come for the Eagles After the Bye
With their bye now in the rearview, the Eagles are going to the strongest part of their schedule. They’re on the road against the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers on Monday night; home against the Detroit Lions in prime time on November 16; and then a big NFC East trip to Dallas on November 23, before they host the Chicago Bears on Black Friday.
That’s four games in 19 days — three of them in prime time — and two against teams that can score in bunches. The 5-3 Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson aren’t a team the Eagles are going to want to overlook, either. They’re fourth in the NFL in total offense after Week 9.
Green Bay will test Philly’s newly bolstered pass rush and reworked secondary right away, likely targeting Alexander, who was released by the Packers earlier this year. Jaire will have an opportunity for payback, but you can bet Jordan Love will test him early and often.
Detroit is currently ranked 11th in total offense and eighth in total defense. They’re a well-rounded group, and they’ll be looking to make a big-time statement against the Eagles. Dallas in Week 12 is an ever-important divisional game, but the Cowboys are the weakest link of the Eagles next four opponents.
The Bears’ defense has forced a league-high 13 turnovers, but they’re also giving up nearly 370 yards per game, so that one could turn into a shootout if Philly’s defense doesn’t make plays.
After that, the Eagles’ schedule gets a lot easier, with games against the Chargers, Raiders and Commanders, the latter of whom they play twice. They also have to face the white hot Buffalo Bills Week 17, so that’ll be a huge game, as well.
