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The Cleveland Browns made a change at quarterback this week, announcing that rookie Dillon Gabriel would be taking over the starting role from Joe Flacco. Gabriel will make his debut on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
The reason that NFL fans believe Dillon Gabriel’s comments were a shot at Sanders is as follows: earlier this week, ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Rex Ryan, implying inside knowledge, said that Sanders is “embarrassing” himself by not properly preparing, which is basically another way of saying “staying ready.”
Then, while speaking to the media after being named the Browns starter, Dillon Gabriel directly referenced staying ready for when his opportunity arrives. There is also a perception that this is the second time that Gabriel has slyly dissed Sanders this season.
Dillon Gabriel’s response to being named the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback is being perceived as a shot at Shedeur Sanders
“You wait for the perfect time, you’re gonna wait a whole lifetime. So for me, I’ve always been ready,” Gabriel explained on Wednesday.
This is the second time Dillon Gabriel has tried to sneak diss sheduer sanders with word play lmao https://t.co/3t0mwuXpa4 pic.twitter.com/CMEZyA7jaN
— John (@iam_johnw) October 1, 2025
I think Dillon Gabriel HATES Shedeur. Second time he’s sneaky dissing him to the media. https://t.co/QAca4uszmN
— Jack Mac (@JackMacCFB) October 1, 2025
WOW: #NFL fans are saying #Browns QB Dillon Gabriel took shots at his fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders.
Gabriel on being named the Cleveland starting quarterback…
“You wait for the perfect time, you’re going to be waiting your whole life.”
pic.twitter.com/Atdn0Me9xG— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 1, 2025
Comments from recently-benched veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco also touched on the idea of “staying ready,” thus creating a pattern.
Joe Flacco, taking a shot at Shedeur?
“You can tell [Dillon Gabriel] takes it seriously.” pic.twitter.com/jG6VaDGz20
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 1, 2025
Sanders certainly didn’t help change the narrative about his maturity with his response, as he mimed his answers to the media when questioned about the Browns QB change. Despite Flacco being demoted, Sanders will remain the Browns’ third-string QB at this time.