Browns QB depth chart: Shedeur Sanders leap-frogs Dillon Gabriel to be named QB1 in Week 13

The Cleveland Browns came into the 2025 season with a clear quarterback logjam. Now 11 games in, things have been as cloudy as ever lately in Kevin Stefanski's quarterback room.

While the Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco trades over recent months helped clear room for the younger passers on the Browns, there's been a brewing competition for reps between Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders recently. Gabriel stepped in for Flacco when the vet was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, but after six starts, an injury sent the former Oregon star the sidelines.

That allowed lightning rod rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to make a Week 12 start. But with Gabriel healthy once again, which rookie is Stefanski rolling with for Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers?

Here's an updated look at Cleveland's quarterback depth chart ahead of Week 13.

MORE: What did Shedeur Sanders and Kevin Stefanski say after Week 12 win?

Browns QB depth chart

Initially, Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starting quarterback for Week 13 after Sanders led the Browns to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

“Obviously, proud of him and proud of this offense and there are a ton of things to learn from, but I’m just going to worry about today," Stefanski said.

However, as of Monday, that has changed.

Stefanski named Sanders his Week 13 starter, even with Dillon Gabriel clearing concussion protocol and being available for the matchup. The move gives Sanders an opportunity to continue leading the Browns' offense after his 209 passing yards, one touchdown pass and one interception in Week 12.

"The number one job of a quarterback is to win," Stefanski said of the decision to start Sanders, per ESPN. "So, excited to get that first win under his belt. And the next thing is improvement, and that's what young players do. Certainly, young quarterbacks do. You get one game better, and that's just from working at it. So, that'll be our focus."

Per ESPN, Stefanski also said he was "just going to focus on this week," declining to specify if Sanders or Gabriel will be the week-to-week quarterback.

While Sanders had some ups and downs against the Raiders, he also helped guide Cleveland to a season-high 24 points, including a few downfield passes that helped ignite some offense. Gabriel is set to return to the bench for at least one more week, having thrown for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions so far this season.

Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win in his NFL starting debut since 1995 in Week 12. He will be getting his chance to build on that against a tougher 49ers defense in Week 13, but Stefanski's quarterback situation will remain a storyline to watch for the remainder of the 2025 season. 

For now, Sanders will be QB1 in Cleveland, a role he seems to have command of as long as he keeps the Browns' offense going strong. Gabriel will continue to lurk as QB2, while a somewhat more established passer, Bailey Zappe, is another option for the Browns if needed.

MORE: Full Shedeur Sanders stats, highlights from Week 12 win over Raiders

Shedeur Sanders stats

Sanders has made two appearances in 2025 so far, first filling in relief for Gabriel in Week 11 before his Week 12 start and win.

The fifth-round rookie didn't post spectacular numbers in either appearance, but he did effectively lead a struggling offense to a win over the Raiders last week.

Here's a look at Sanders' full numbers in the NFL thus far:

Dillon Gabriel stats

On the other hand, Gabriel has mostly avoided turnovers when leading Cleveland's offense in six starts this season, but he broke the 200-yard passing mark just once. 

In games Gabriel started, the most points the Browns have scored is 20 in their November loss to the New York Jets.

Here's a look at Gabriel's numbers this season:

Browns schedule 2025

Here's how the Browns will finish the 2025 season.