Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has quickly clarified that the statements he made during an in-game interview were not directed at teammate Shedeur Sanders.
Gabriel has made his preseason debut in the Browns’ matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was asked on the broadcast about handling outside noise surrounding the team’s ongoing quarterback competition. His response drew attention.
“Yeah, it’s just part of it. You know, there’s entertainers and there’s competitors, and I totally understand that. But my job is to compete. And that’s what I’m focused on doing,” Gabriel said.
The use of the word “entertainers” prompted speculation on social media that Gabriel was referring to Sanders. The spotlight has followed Sanders since the draft, in part because of his famous father — Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders — and also because of his surprising slide to the fifth round after being projected as a first-round talent. Gabriel was selected two rounds earlier, fueling chatter about a rivalry between the two rookies.
After completing 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, with one interception returned for a touchdown and a lost fumble, Gabriel addressed the issue in his postgame press conference. He explained that the comment was aimed at the media, not his teammate.
“Yeah, first off, I’m all about our team and each other. I would never make that [comment about Sanders] and I’ve said it before that’s why it’s interesting, but for me I’ve explained it entertainers are you all, competitor, that’s what I am, and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do, so that’s it,” Gabriel said.
Sanders did not play in Saturday’s game due to an oblique injury but had impressed in his own preseason debut the previous week. Against the Carolina Panthers, he went 14-of-23 for 138 yards and threw two touchdowns, showcasing why he remains one of the most talked-about rookies in the league despite his draft position.
The Browns’ quarterback competition remains one of the biggest storylines of training camp. Alongside Gabriel and Sanders, veteran quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are also in the mix. Flacco, the most experienced of the group, has taken the bulk of first-team reps in practice and is viewed as the frontrunner.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has indicated that a decision on the starting quarterback will come “sooner than later.” He said the team is treating the upcoming preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams as a dress rehearsal, with most starters expected to play.
“I need to get the football team in here, talk to the players, those types of things,” Stefanski said. “We’re working towards, obviously, Week 1, that’s part of what this week is about, getting our football team ready. So, we’ll make all those type of determinations in the next couple of days.”
Stefanski also provided an update on Sanders and Pickett. He said he was “hopeful” both would be able to increase their practice participation in the coming days, though their involvement would be evaluated on a “day by day” basis.
For now, the Browns continue to sort through their quarterback options, but Gabriel was adamant that his focus remains on competition, not controversy.
