ESPN debates what Browns turning to Dillon Gabriel means for Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns opened the season 1-3 and are looking for answers, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. So, head coach Kevin Stefanski made the decision to move on from veteran Joe Flacco and start rookie Dillon Gabriel in his place. Fellow rookie, Shedeur Sanders, will remain on the bench.

On the ESPN show Get Up, the panel debated what that move means for Sanders. There, they emphasized that while it might seem like he’s being overlooked, there’s an opportunity here for Sanders if he’s willing to take it.

“I would assume it’s Flacco still… This door will revolve,” Peter Schrager said of the backup job. “Shedeur will get a chance if he just hangs in the pocket, and his opportunity will come if the Browns continue to struggle.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently confirmed that Peter Schrager’s assumption is correct. On Wednesday morning, he confirmed that Flacco is being moved to the second-string role. Sanders, meanwhile, is still filling in the third-string role.

For his part, Louis Riddick chimed in to explain that being third-string isn’t devastating. After all, if Gabriel doesn’t work out, it’s likely that the Browns want to find their quarterback of the future. That should give Sanders an opportunity over an aging veteran like Flacco.

“I would think right now it’s Flacco right now, but for Shedeur, here’s your opportunity. Here’s your opportunity to get more reps because, truly — they don’t want to go back to Joe Flacco. You don’t take him out because you want to go back to him at some point in time. If you’re Shedeur Sanders right now, whatever you’re doing, I’m taking it up a whole other level,” Riddick said. “Because Dillon is not promised to stay in there. As we’ve all talked about, this is really a tryout for everyone because of the draft capital they have next year, and that guy, we may not have seen the last of him yet.”

How quarterbacks were drafted does become vital to this. Gabriel was selected ahead of Sanders. However, he was still a mid-round pick. So, nothing is promised to either of them.

“The Giants traded up to get Jaxson Dart in the first round,” Schrager added. “Dillon Gabriel is still a third round pick. So, this isn’t some sacred cow that they would never bench Dillon Gabriel. If he struggled, yeah, he’s on the block too.”

Dillon Gabriel is getting his first start next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. That game will be played in London, and it’s a 9:30 a.m. EST kickoff.