Dillon Gabriel Addresses Shedeur Sanders Comparisons at Browns Rookie Minicamp
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp has been a focal point of NFL attention, with quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders drawing inevitable comparisons. Drafted in the third round (94th overall) and fifth round (144th overall) respectively in the 2025 NFL Draft, the two rookies are vying for a spot in a crowded quarterback room that includes veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and the injured Deshaun Watson. During the minicamp, which ran from May 9 to May 11, 2025, Gabriel addressed the media scrutiny surrounding his competition with Sanders, offering a composed and team-focused perspective.
When asked by reporter Mary Kay Cabot about handling the intense media attention on Sanders, Gabriel emphasized unity over rivalry. “I love it because of who it is,” Gabriel said. “I think just for us both, you can learn from one another. But also, it’s not just us two in the room. At least for right now [during rookie minicamp] it is, but, you know, going into the year, Kenny [Pickett], Joe [Flacco], and even Deshaun [Watson], just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.” His response highlighted his intent to avoid letting external narratives “divide the team,” as he later told Cabot, drawing parallels to past Browns quarterback controversies like Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel.
Gabriel, the former Oregon Ducks standout, has faced scrutiny beyond his on-field performance. His listed height, which dropped from 6-foot at Oregon to 5-foot-11 at the NFL Scouting Combine, became a point of discussion, with a Cleveland reporter caught mocking him on camera. Despite this, Gabriel remained unfazed, focusing on his performance and adaptation to the Browns’ offensive system. His college experience across UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon has equipped him with the ability to adjust to new playbooks, a skill he’s leveraging in minicamp.
Meanwhile, Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has garnered significant attention due to his high-profile persona and draft slide. Posts on X and media reports noted Sanders’ sharpness in drills, with some observers claiming he outshone Gabriel on the first day of minicamp. Sanders stayed late after practices, putting in extra reps to prove his work ethic, a move praised by his father on social media. However, Gabriel’s consistency and maturity have been highlighted as strengths, with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski calling both quarterbacks “coachable” and emphasizing their ability to handle the early stages of minicamp.
The competition has sparked debate among fans and analysts. Some Browns teammates, including rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, showed a preference for Sanders by mimicking his signature pose during a team photo, a moment that went viral on X. Conversely, Gabriel’s supporters point to his higher draft position and extensive college experience as evidence of his edge. A post on X from NFL analyst Greg Cosell suggested the Browns valued Gabriel’s “natural feel for the position” over Sanders and other prospects. However, fan reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing Gabriel after he threw an interception to linebacker Carson Schwesinger during minicamp drills.
Despite the external noise, Gabriel has embraced the competition, viewing it as an opportunity for growth. “It’s not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It’s really all about the body of work,” he said, echoing the Browns’ long-term evaluation approach. With the team’s quarterback depth chart still fluid—Flacco is the presumed starter due to Watson’s Achilles injury—both rookies will join veterans in the voluntary offseason program starting May 12, 2025. Trade rumors have also surfaced, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noting that the Browns might consider moving one of their quarterbacks before the season, adding another layer of intrigue to the battle.
As the Browns navigate this complex quarterback landscape, Gabriel’s focus remains on building a positive culture and learning from his peers. His measured response to the Sanders comparisons underscores his mental resilience, a trait that could prove vital as the competition intensifies through training camp and the preseason. For now, both Gabriel and Sanders are proving they belong, setting the stage for a compelling storyline in Cleveland’s 2025 season.
Sources: Sporting News, SI.com, Cleveland.com, NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, TheLandOnDemand.com, EssentiallySports, Daily Mail, BVM Sports, OutKick