The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room is one of the more fascinating ones this season. From Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel, and now Shedeur Sanders and potentially Deshaun Watson, it's been a strange year for Browns quarterbacks.
While the future of the position for Cleveland might not be on the roster right now, the competition between Sanders and Gabriel is an important one. Both have had a few starts under their belt, and talent evaluators around the NFL can get a read on their status.
For multiple NFL coaches around the league, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Gabriel is viewed as the more developed quarterback than Sanders.
NFL coaches believe Shedeur Sanders isn't as developed as Dillon Gabriel
Fowler writes, "Coaches I've talked to think Gabriel is slightly further along in his development than Sanders, who has the bigger arm and frame."
Gabriel might be further along in his development, but the Browns quarterback room won't be dictated by that premise for the rest of the season.
Instead, what this could lead to is the Browns viewing Gabriel as a better number two quarterback. Sanders may have the tools to be an intriguing starter, but his development being behind Gabriel could make him less appealing as a backup quarterback.
"Gabriel is a good decision-maker whose experience showed up in his six starts," Fowler writes, "But he projects more as a quality No. 2."
More: Kevin Stefanski makes Browns starting QB announcement after Shedeur Sanders' 2nd start
Sanders has the higher ceiling due to his traits, a better arm, and a bigger frame, but Gabriel's ability to protect the ball and make the right decision makes him a quality backup quarterback in the NFL.
Cleveland is likely to stick with Sanders for the rest of the 2025 season. Gabriel is further along in his development, and the rest of 2025 could be a time for Sanders to catch up.
While their status on the Browns roster in 2026 is very much up in the air, closing out the 2025 season strongly for Sanders and developing further could be what helps get him over the edge to be in the Browns quarterback plans for 2026.
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