Amid a preseason full of expectations for the
Cleveland Browns, the quarterback competition took an unexpected detour into off-field drama.
Shedeur Sanders, a rookie with a famous last name and proven talent, found himself at the center of a controversy after a comment made by teammate
Dillon Gabriel was widely interpreted as a subtle jab.
During the
Browns’ preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles,
Dillon Gabriel was interviewed on the sideline and dropped a line that lit up social media: “You’ve got to know the difference between competitors and entertainers.” Gabriel, the former Oregon quarterback, didn’t name names, but the remark was quickly linked to
Shedeur Sanders. After all, Sanders entered the
NFL with a high-profile narrative—thanks to his time at
Colorado,
his music career, and of course, being the son of
Deion Sanders.
Shedeur breaks the silence
Four days later,
Shedeur Sanders addressed the situation in Berea. In comments reported by
Sportskeeda, the young quarterback made it clear he wasn’t bothered by
Dillon Gabriel’s words. “I’m not tripping,”
Sanders said calmly. He added that Gabriel approached him on the team plane to clarify the comment wasn’t aimed at him.
Shedeur, who missed the Eagles game due to an oblique strain, emphasized that his focus remains on football, not outside noise. “Words don’t affect me. My confidence comes from God.”
The controversy reached ESPN, where Stephen A. Smith called Dillon Gabriel’s remark “dumb,” though he accepted Gabriel’s explanation. Gabriel later clarified that his comment was directed at the media, not Shedeur Sanders. Still, the narrative of a brewing rivalry had already taken hold, and attention on both quarterbacks intensified.
Solid start
On the field, Shedeur Sanders had a strong debut against Carolina, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He returned to practice this week and is expected to see action in the final preseason game against the Rams. Head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to rotate quarterbacks behind veteran Joe Flacco, with Dillon Gabriel as the second option and Shedeur as the third.
Beyond the internal competition, what’s really at stake is the story each quarterback is building. Dillon Gabriel is trying to carve out his place quietly, while Shedeur Sanders leans into the spotlight and legacy. But both share one essential goal: proving they have what it takes to lead in the NFL.
