The Cleveland Browns sparked new questions about the futures of second-year quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel when they officially activated Gabriel off injured reserve on Monday.
That move put Sanders, Gabriel, starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and rookie signal-caller Taylen Green on track to be on the depth chart when 5-2 Cleveland plays at the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1.
According to Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sanders and Gabriel will be staying put through the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.
Will Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel be the Browns’ primary backup against the Steelers?
Per Cabot, “Sanders remains the No. 2 and will still be the active backup” for the matchup in Pittsburgh.
“To make room for Gabriel,” Cabot wrote, “the Browns waived seventh-round tight end Carsen Ryan, but will likely re-sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Browns always preferred to keep all four quarterbacks on the roster, and found a way to do it. If they had to move one of them, they would’ve tried to get Green through waivers and onto the practice squad, but it would’ve been risky.”
Sanders raised eyebrows when it was learned earlier in October that he had hired an agent. Some suggested that he may want to be traded, as Watson is firmly cemented atop the Cleveland depth chart and will remain the club’s starter this season as long as he is healthy and the Browns keep winning.
However, Cabot noted that the Browns “have no plans to trade Sanders or Gabriel before the Nov. 10 trade deadline unless someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse” and are “not shopping any of their QBs.”
Why Browns may want to keep Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel beyond trade deadline
Long before Watson became responsible for five fourth-quarter game-winning drives this season, he hadn’t played since he suffered the first of what became two Achilles injuries in October 2024. Presumably, Watson’s injury history could cause a Browns team that is currently atop the AFC North standings via tiebreaker advantage to want to hold onto both Sanders and Gabriel this fall.
That said, Cleveland reportedly is open to having Watson serve as the club’s starter in 2027. It’s unknown what that decision could mean for Sanders and Gabriel, but such discussions can be punted down the road.
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