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Shedeur Sanders was inactive when the Cleveland Browns took on the New England Patriots on Sunday, but he was still top of mind for fans as Dillon Gabriel struggled in his fourth start.
Gabriel was 21-of-35 with 156 passing yards, two touchdown passes and two interceptions in a 32-13 loss to the Patriots. The final straw appeared to be the intentional grounding penalty that Gabriel was called in the end zone on one of the team’s final drives, giving the Patriots two extra points.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Myles Garrett may have been the most frustrated Browns player. He set a franchise record for most sacks in a single game with five. But the team did not have the victory to show for it.
The Sanders debate began to rear its head late in the second half.
Sanders was dealing with a back injury, which led to the Browns deactivating him for the game. Bailey Zappe served as Gabriel’s backup.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left, and cornerback Dom Jones, right, talk before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The Browns decided to give Gabriel some reps as the starting quarterback before the team’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings. He guided the team to a surprise win over the Miami Dolphins last week, but the wheels seemingly fell off against the Patriots.
He entered the game with 546 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Sanders and Gabriel were in the same draft class. Sanders had an impressive preseason, but an injury increased his chance to be the QB2 behind Joe Flacco. He was elevated up the depth chart after the team traded Flacco and named Gabriel the starter.
