When ͏a struggling rookie quarterback divides a fan base,͏ veteran voices in the locker room often set the͏ tone. That’s exactly what happened in Cleveland this week as questions continued to͏ swirl about whether͏ the Browns ͏should make a change under center. Head coach Kevin ͏Stefan͏ski isn’t budging yet, and one respected veteran made it clear where he stands.
Should the Cleveland Browns Stick With Dillon Gabriel or Turn to Shedeur Sanders?
The Cleveland Browns’ five-time All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio defended the team’s commitment to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, even as calls for fellow first-year passer Shedeur Sanders grow louder. Speaking to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bitonio said the team still believes in Gabriel’s potential to develop despite a difficult start.
“We have confidence in Dillon to keep improving,” Bitonio explained. “He’s had four games. He’s had some tough matchups, and we want the offense to continue to grow. It’s not a one-person issue at times, so we want to give our quarterbacks a chance.”
Gabriel’s early numbers, however, paint a challenging picture. Through four starts, he has led the Browns to a 1-3 record, with the lone victory coming in a 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins on October 19, a game shaped by four turnovers by the Dolphins.
PFSN’s QB Impact metric gave Gabriel a QB Impact Score of 57.2, which earned him a grade of F and a season rank of 34th overall. His overall rank since 2000 sits at 880th, according to the same source. Through five games, three of which he started, Gabriel has completed 64 of 107 pass attempts, resulting in a 59.8% completion rate.
Despite those numbers, Bitonio urged patience. The veteran lineman emphasized that Gabriel’s sample size remains too small to make a definitive judgment about his potential. “For a young guy in this league, four games is so minuscule on a big platform,” he said.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders Seemingly Calls for Dillon Gabriel’s Benching While Hinting at Browns’ QB1 Desire
Meanwhile, Sanders, who is still recovering from a back injury, has yet to make his regular-season debut. While some assume players might be eager for a change, Bitonio’s comments suggest the locker room remains behind Gabriel. “We have to give him a chance to adjust and to see what he likes,” he added.
As of now, there has ͏been no indication that Sanders ͏would start ͏following the bye week. The Browns (͏2-6) are͏ next set to͏ face the New York Jets (͏1-͏7) ͏on͏ Nov. 9, 2025. For now, ͏the͏ Browns’ veterans are standing firm ͏behind their young ͏quarterback, believing his growth, not replacement, is what the team needs most.