Despite a 27-20 loss to the one-win New York Jets, a game largely defined by two devastating special teams touchdowns against Cleveland, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed he is doubling down on rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, leaving the more dynamic Shedeur Sanders on the bench.
The choice, which follows several weeks of painfully limited offensive output under Gabriel, has pushed the franchise’s enduring quarterback controversy to a boiling point, fueled by accusations that Stefanski’s refusal to play Sanders is more personal than strategic.
The Clamor for Sanders
Gabriel, a third-round pick, once again settled for modest statistics against a heavily depleted Jets defense, completing 17-of-32 passes for 162 yards with 2 TDs. The performance was bad, but it offered little evidence that he is the future of the offense, only reinforcing the public demand for fifth-round pick Sanders.
I have to admit this is probably Dillion Gabriel‘s best pass I’ve seen so far 😮💨pic.twitter.com/DUH0l8fSTW
— Cam (@camfromthe216) November 9, 2025
Fans and media personalities have grown vocally impatient, arguing that with the Browns’ record now at 2-7, the priority must shift to fully evaluating Sanders, the highly-touted rookie whose potential carries greater excitement.
“If I’m going to lose, I’m going to lose trying to find out who my quarterback is,” said former player and analyst Shannon Sharpe recently, voicing a sentiment echoed widely across sports talk radio.
The ‘Personal Vendetta’ Narrative
The most damaging theories surrounding Stefanski’s decision stem from the draft itself. The perception is that Stefanski preferred the more system-friendly Gabriel, while the front office’s decision to trade up for Sanders in the fifth round was a move the head coach internally opposed.
This has birthed a narrative suggesting Stefanski is now protecting Gabriel—the coach’s “guy”—and avoiding the potential validation of the quarterback he didn’t initially champion.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he’s sticking with Dillon Gabriel and will continue to coach him up
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 9, 2025
Former All-Pro defensive back Aqib Talib was among those who took direct aim at Stefanski’s motives, suggesting the coach has a “personal vendetta” against Sanders. Talib theorized that the stubborn refusal to even rotate Sanders into games is tied to the coach’s ego and a fear that Sanders succeeding would “make him look like he doesn’t know what he is doing.”
When pressed directly on the matter, Stefanski offers only rigid statements, insisting that his focus is “where we are right now” and that Gabriel needs all the first-team reps for a successful developmental path.
That cautious, almost corporate response is interpreted by critics as an evasion, reinforcing the belief that the decision to bench Sanders is rooted in internal politics rather than pure talent evaluation. As long as Gabriel continues to play conservatively, the spotlight—and the public fury—will remain fixed on Stefanski and the unplayed rookie waiting on the sideline.
The Browns will have to live with the consequences of this high-stakes standoff, which now threatens to overshadow the remainder of their season.
