Browns want Dillon Gabriel to show he's the guy, with Shedeur mired at No. 3

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski met the media yesterday and spilled two shocking revelations. One, that GM Andrew Berry made the decision to trade Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick to Cincinnati for a fifth-round pick, and two, that even though the team has elevated former Duck Dillon Gabriel to starter, Shedeur Sanders is no closer to cracking the lineup.

Fourth-year pro and practice squad QB Bailey Zappe is the likely No. 2, for now.

Stefanski said, "First of all the Joe trade took us by surprise. That was something we did not saw coming. They called us, and it happened very fast and it happened not too long ago. So still working through all roster type of things."

"I always have to be mindful of our players and our players' development."

The Browns want a veteran first on the bench with Gabriel making his second start this weekend at Pittsburgh against a veteran defense. Last Sunday in London, the Oregon Heisman finalist completed 19-33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns as the team lost 21-17 to Minnesota.

Some Browns observers are incensed that Sanders isn't getting more consideration for the starting job, or at least some snaps.

"How do you not have this kid up to speed? It's been MONTHS. What are you doing with him?" ESPN Cleveland talk show host Tony Rizzo said, letting loose with an on-air rant.

The NFL trade deadline is approaching. "If you don't trust him, get rid of him," Rizzo said.

With $230 million-man DeShaun Watson out for the year with an Achilles injury, the Browns quarterback depth chart remains a muddled situation on a 1-4 team with the 3-1, division-leading Steelers lurking. Gabriel has a lot of pressure in his second pro start, especially with a media darling wearing a headset on the sideline.

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