Contrary to what their 2-5 record might indicate, the Cleveland Browns are not an awful football team. They have some things working in their favor, namely one of the NFL's best defenses. Led by Myles Garrett and an intimidating defensive line, Cleveland gives up the fewest yards per game of any team in the NFL.
There's some talent on the offense, too. Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing already, and he punched in three touchdowns on Sunday during the Browns' dominant victory over the Miami Dolphins. They have a Pro Bowl WR, too, in former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy.
What the Browns haven't had in quite some time is a competent QB. After trading Joe Flacco and handing the keys to rookie Dillon Gabriel, little has changed. The Browns earned an easy 31-6 victory over the Dolphins, but they did little through the air. Again.
Gabriel completed 13-of-18 passes for only 116 yards. He's now started three games for the Browns, producing a QBR of 30.8. That mark puts him 33rd in the NFL.
At least one prominent media member believes the Browns need to turn things over to Shedeur Sanders, who could provide the spark to the passing game that Cleveland has been sorely missing.
Skip Bayless believes that with Shedeur Sanders, the running game, and the ferocious defense, the Browns could become the 'Vanderbilt of the North' (complimentary).
If Shedeur Sanders, with that Browns defense and the emergence of Judkins slashing and gashing, had started at QB from the start, as he should have, the Browns would be the Vanderbilt of the North.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 19, 2025
And yes, that's a compliment! Vanderbilt is good now!
Skip Bayless believes Shedeur Sanders should have started for the Browns 'from the start'
Sanders has moved his way up the depth chart. After starting the preseason as the Browns' QB4, roster shakeups have led to Sanders now stepping into the QB2 role behind Gabriel. The former Colorado star should get his chance, eventually, to make his NFL debut. A 31-6 game in the fourth quarter probably would have been the opportunity to do that, but Kevin Stefanski didn't make the move, much to the dismay of Browns fans.
Gabriel was always going to take his lumps, just like Sanders will if and when he gets a chance as the team's starting QB. But Gabriel will have to play better moving forward or there will be enough doubts about what Cleveland has to do in the future that they will have no choice but to give Sanders a shot.
The Browns have an uncertain future. If Gabriel isn't the guy, then they have to find out if Sanders is. If not, Cleveland will be right back in the market for a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft.