ESPN analyst gives Shedeur Sanders advice after Dillon Gabriel gets the starting job

Charlie Baduini

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ESPN analyst gives Shedeur Sanders advice after Dillon Gabriel gets the starting job image

After a disappointing 1-3 start, the Cleveland Browns made a quarterback change, benching veteran Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Despite the reshuffling, Flacco will serve as the backup behind the former Oregon Duck, and Shedeur Sanders will remain the emergency third-string quarterback.

While Sanders is still buried on the depth chart, one ESPN analyst gave the former Colorado Buffalo some advice as he continues to try to work his way up in Cleveland.

Louis Riddick gives Shedeur Sanders advice

On ESPN's morning show, Get Up, analyst Louis Riddick provided the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with some encouraging words despite no change in his standing with the Browns organization.

"If you're Shedeur right now, here's your opportunity to get more reps. If you're Shedeur Sanders right now, whatever you're doing, I'm taking it up a whole 'nother level. Because Dillon is not promised to stay in there. This is really a tryout for everyone. That guy, we may not have seen the last of him yet," said Riddick.

To Riddick's point, Cleveland is unlikely to turn back to Flacco barring a major injury. While Gabriel is the starter right now, it's entirely possible the third-round pick flames out in a below-average Browns offense.

Before Cleveland even starts to consider looking into the 2026 quarterback class, they have to know what they have in the building already, including Sanders. 

If the Browns are out of playoff contention, which seems increasingly likely as the weeks roll on, Sanders will likely get a chance to start at least one or two games to show whether or not he's got what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.

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Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini is a freelance NBA writer with The Sporting News. He is a content editor and writer with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in live broadcasting and print media.