Dillon Gabriel will start the year as the Browns’ backup quarterback, making Shedeur Sanders QB3 when Cleveland starts the season next Sept. 7 against the Bengals.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon, and Sanders — the Browns’ fifth-round pick in April — can dress as the team’s emergency third quarterback.

It closed the book after weeks of intrigue around the Browns’ quarterback room throughout camp and the preseason. 3

Dillon Gabriel will be our backup QB

"He's certainly somebody that's getting better and better" pic.twitter.com/MlFv649tsF — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 26, 2025

Both Gabriel — a 2025 third-round draft pick — and Sanders appeared in two preseason games.

“It’s such an all-encompassing evaluation,” Stefanski explained

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