Dillon Gabriel Looked Good… But Shedeur Sanders Looks Special

Ladies and gentlemen… Cleveland can’t help itself. The Browns always find a way to give us drama at quarterback.

This past Sunday?

We finally saw Dillon Gabriel make his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles.

And to be fair, the young fella didn’t look bad at all.

Gabriel went 13-of-18 for 143 yards, with one interception, was sacked twice, and converted his first six third downs. 

That’s impressive.

He was decisive, accurate in spurts, and showed command of the huddle.

Cleveland even walked away with the win, 22-13 over Philly, pushing their preseason record to 2-0.

For a rookie QB starting his first game? You tip your cap.

But then you have to ask yourself… compared to whom?

Because the week prior, in his own preseason debut, Shedeur Sanders lit up the Carolina Panthers.

He finished 14-of-23, 138 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, with a 113.9 passer rating. 

And let me tell you something right now: one guy looked like a game manager… the other looked like a future star.

Let’s call it how it is: Dillon Gabriel gives off Tua Tagovailoa vibes.

Lefty. Compact build. Solid accuracy. But safe. Conservative. Sometimes boring.

And when you’re in Cleveland — when you’re a franchise starved for stability and excitement — is “safe” really what you want?

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders? That’s box office. That’s charisma. That’s swagger. That’s the IT factor you can’t teach. He’s bigger, stronger, more accurate, more mobile — and most importantly — more polarizing.

The type of player fans will pay to see. The type of player who sells jerseys before he even takes over the starting job.

Let’s not forget: Sanders was supposed to be a Top 5 draft pick. Instead, he slid all the way to the fifth round, No. 144 overall. 

Teams blackballed him — let’s keep it a buck — for being too confident, too outspoken, and too connected to his father, the legendary Deion “Prime Time” Sanders.

They tried to humble him. They tried to embarrass him.

But when the lights came on? The kid showed poise, touch, and accuracy — all the tools you need in today’s NFL.

And he did it behind what’s still a shaky offensive line.

Now, the Browns announced Joe Flacco will start Week 1. At 40 years old. The man is practically on his last football leg.

No disrespect — Flacco’s got a Super Bowl MVP on his résumé, and he’s earned his respect — but let’s be real. Father Time is undefeated. Eventually, whether it’s by injury, inconsistency, or simply fatigue, Flacco’s going to give way.

And when that moment comes… you’re really telling me you’d rather roll with Dillon Gabriel over Shedeur Sanders?

Stop it.

Here’s the truth: Gabriel is solid. He’s capable. He’s safe.

But Shedeur? Shedeur represents something Cleveland hasn’t had since maybe Bernie Kosar — a quarterback who can change the culture.

He’s marketable. He’s polarizing. He’s the one opposing defenses will fear. And most importantly, he’s the one who can elevate the Browns from being “just competitive” to being must-watch television.

So yes, Gabriel played well against the Eagles. Props to him. But if you’re asking me who played better?

Who would I want to start? Who would I build a franchise around?

It’s Shedeur Sanders. No question.

And the Browns better figure that out sooner rather than later.