{"id":239097,"date":"2025-10-25T11:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T11:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/239097\/"},"modified":"2025-10-25T11:29:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T11:29:08","slug":"dan-patrick-says-dillon-gabriel-tops-browns-shedeur-sanders-as-media-hype-reaches-nfl-starter-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/239097\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan Patrick says Dillon Gabriel tops Browns\u2019 Shedeur Sanders as media hype reaches NFL-starter levels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veteran broadcaster Dan Patrick questioned the media\u2019s fixation on Cleveland Browns<\/a> backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders<\/a>, suggesting the coverage around him has far exceeded that of most NFL starters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cleveland named Gabriel its starter earlier this month after benching and later trading Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>. That move elevated Sanders to the No. 2 role.<\/p>\n

Despite limited opportunities, Sanders continues to dominate headlines, a level of attention Dan Patrick said few backups have ever experienced.<\/p>\n

Patrick said on his show<\/a> that reporters seem \u201cobsessed\u201d with whether Sanders is taking first-team reps, while similar situations elsewhere in the league go unnoticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas anybody asked the Tennessee Titans<\/a> about their backup quarterback getting reps?\u201d Patrick said, adding that Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland\u2019s rookie starter, \u201cis a better quarterback, right now, than Shedeur Sanders.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Has anybody asked the question to the Tennessee Titans about their backup quarterback getting reps?” #NFL<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/95GkWvQliM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the fifth-round pick has not been receiving first-team practice reps.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a young quarterback, with Dillon starting, you want to make sure he gets a lot of the reps,\u201d Stefanski said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More:\u00a0Shedeur Sanders trusts God\u2019s timing as Browns keep him waiting for first-team reps<\/a><\/p>\n

Browns\u2019 quarterback strategy sparks debate on Shedeur Sanders\u2019 future<\/p>\n

The Browns\u2019 quarterback situation has continued to stir discussion since the team drafted two rookies in 2025.<\/p>\n

Gabriel, selected in the third round, has started three games, throwing for 546 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions with a 59.8 percent completion rate. Sanders, a fifth-round pick, remains on the sidelines but has drawn intense speculation about his long-term role.<\/p>\n

Browns insider Tony Grossi told ESPN Cleveland\u2019s The Really Big Show that head coach Kevin Stefanski might be open to moving Sanders before the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say true,\u201d Grossi said<\/a> when asked if Stefanski would trade Sanders given full control, noting the coach \u201cdoesn\u2019t think he considers him a quarterback of value.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Sanders posted 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in his final college season, his limited action and draft-day slide have fueled debate about his fit in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Reports indicate the Browns\u2019 front office, led by Andrew Berry, maintains that selecting both Gabriel and Sanders was \u201ca decision that we thought was best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, questions remain about whether the organization views Sanders as a developmental piece or a trade asset before the Nov. 4 deadline.<\/p>\n

More NFL news:<\/p>\n