The Browns made a major quarterback move this week, benching veteran Joe Flacco and inserting exciting rookie Dillon Gabriel into the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Vikings in London.
That move, which the Browns hope will ignite their offense and limit turnovers, also sparked a national discussion about a certain other QB on the roster.
While there is plenty to discuss about No. 3 QB Shedeur Sanders and Flacco, the focus must start on Gabriel, the 24-year-old third-rounder who started more games than any QB in FBS history.
Here is a snapshot look at Cleveland's QB situation after talking to sources involved in the situation:
What to expect from Gabriel vs. Vikings?
The Browns will privately refer to Gabriel as a computer because of how quickly he absorbs and processes information. He gets the ball out fast, he plays fast and because he started 65 games in college, he's seen so much. They know there will be growing pains, and not having a full week of practice because of traveling to London is less than ideal. But it won't be for lack of preparation from Gabriel.
Gabriel will add some mobility that Flacco doesn't have, and the Browns believe he'll take care of the ball well enough to improve the team's -6 turnover differential through four weeks. While it's less than ideal to play against a nasty Brian Flores defense that will bring pressure from all sides and angles, things are rarely perfect in the NFL.
The message to the team by inserting Gabriel is that everyone needs to play better to support him and improve. The Browns also don't view this as a week-to-week proposition. They'll let Gabriel go and settle in, getting him operating the offense and playing fast.
Gabriel was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 94 overall). His third-round selection was in part due to his 5-foot-11 stature, but on the field, the belief is that won't matter.
What does this mean for Flacco?
Flacco, still a captain, will remain the No. 2 QB, capable of entering a game if Gabriel is injured. While he lost his starting job, the way he handled being the backup reinforced his status as a leader on the Browns.
Flacco was disappointed in the demotion, but he has assisted Gabriel as the team felt he would. The hope was the 40-year-old would carry through to at least midseason as the starter, but that wasn't to be. But because of his 18 years of NFL experience, Flacco is felt to be best suited to jump onto the field in a pinch as the backup.
What does this mean for Sanders' future?
By all accounts, Shedeur Sanders has continued to improve behind the scenes. After each practice, there is extra work for Sanders and some of the reserves and "his development happens every day," one source said. While he had a long way to go upon arriving as a fifth-round draft pick from Colorado, Sanders has worked and learned.
It's clear Gabriel was ahead of him in training camp, and that has continued.
As to why Sanders is not the backup QB on Sunday, there is one specific reason.
The Browns want Sanders to be successful when he's out there. When he plays, they want him to do so with a game plan that is made for him to thrive. As the backup, if he was forced into action, he'd be running a game plan built for Gabriel, rather than one built to his strengths. Is that fair to Sanders?
The expectation is that Sanders will play at some point this season when he's ready. When he does play, it would be with a full week of practice and a game plan built for him.
Sanders made news this past week when he silently pantomimed answers to questions regarding the Browns' QB situation. Sources say Sanders had a discussion with team officials that his approach to that media session was a message that got lost in translation.
How does 2026 impact Cleveland's QB evaluation?
The Browns have two first-round picks for the 2026 draft and no clear franchise QB on the roster. Evaluating for the future at the most important position is part of Cleveland's plans for this season. If Gabriel or Sanders emerges in a real way this year, that makes next year easier. If Deshaun Watson, who re-ruptured his Achilles this offseason and remains on the roster with his entire 2026 salary guaranteed, ends up on the field, that will add to the evaluation. Watson playing in 2025, however, is considered unlikely.
Cleveland hopes to have some answers before it decides how to proceed with valuable draft capital for next season. Every QB start -- beginning with Gabriel on Sunday in London -- will play into it.
