The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback saga added yet another twist this week when veteran Joe Flacco was confirmed as the team’s Week 1 starter. But the news quickly gave way to a different debate: How long will it take before rookie Shedeur Sanders sees the field?
John Middlekauff Predicts Dillon Gabriel Will Start Before Shedeur Sanders
On the latest episode of “3 and Out with John Middlekauff,” the former NFL scout laid out a surprising forecast that could rattle Browns fans eager to see Sanders take over the franchise’s future.
Middlekauff didn’t mince words when addressing Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart. “Joe Flacco was always going to start Week One for the Cleveland Browns. That’s not the story,” he said.
“The only story is now what’s going to be their quarterback depth chart when the season starts. Dillon Gabriel is going to start a game in the regular season, assuming they’re both healthy, before Shedeur Sanders. And everyone’s going to freak out. Yet this organization chose this guy ahead of them for that reason. I think this circus is going to grow dramatically.”
“Dillon Gabriel’s gonna start a game in the regular season before Shedeur Sanders.”@JohnMiddlekauff weighs in on the Browns QB circus after naming Joe Flacco the Week 1 starter. pic.twitter.com/7dh6Hh51FC
— 3&OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 20, 2025
That bold statement would mean Cleveland’s Gabriel plays ahead of Sanders, despite the latter being viewed as one of the most intriguing young prospects in football.
Shedeur Sanders Returns From Injury As Browns QB Battle Heats Up
Sanders’ path to the starting job was already complicated, and an oblique injury suffered during an August 13 practice didn’t help. The rookie missed nearly a week of full work and sat out the Browns’ second preseason game.
The encouraging news is that Sanders returned on Wednesday and participated in 11-on-11 drills. He had been limited the day before but was able to throw, signaling progress in his recovery.
Still, Cleveland wasted no time naming Flacco the starter while backup Kenny Pickett continues his own recovery. The Browns also announced Pickett won’t play in their final preseason game.
What History Tells Us About Cleveland’s QBs
For all the talk about Sanders’ timeline, recent Browns history suggests he’ll get a chance sooner rather than later. Over the last two seasons, Cleveland has started seven different quarterbacks, with four or more in each year. Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Flacco, P.J. Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, and Jeff Driskel have all had turns under center.
That instability points to one thing: the odds are against any single quarterback holding the job all year. Even at age 40, Flacco gives Cleveland a steady hand, but whether his body holds up over a 17-game season is another story.
Sanders showed flashes of why the Browns drafted him, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason debut before the injury.
The Browns may have settled their starter for Week 1, but the franchise’s turbulent quarterback history suggests it’s only a matter of time before Sanders’ name gets called. And when it does, Cleveland fans will find out if the son of Deion Sanders can stabilize the NFL’s most unpredictable position room.