Joe Flacco divided fans with his Week 1 performance for the Cleveland Browns, and Terry Bradshaw thinks that Dillon Gabriel is the ideal replacement, not Shedeur Sanders

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 07: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Legendary NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw believes that the Cleveland Browns should play Dillon Gabriel over Joe Flacco, but snubbed Shedeur Sanders from the conversation.

Flacco almost led the Browns to an upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but Cleveland lost 17-16 to start the season. The veteran has been handed the starting role despite two rookies being drafted, though Gabriel is ahead of Sanders in the depth chart. Kenny Pickett was traded away to Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders, with Bradshaw’s feelings on the deal very clear.

It’s unlikely that Sanders will see the field this season, as the fifth-round pick out of Colorado is seen as more of a developmental project. However, Bradshaw didn’t mention Sanders’ name when discussing quarterback options at the Browns. Bradshaw was also forced to look away from Michael Strahan after his controversial comment on FOX NFL Sunday.

According to Bradshaw, the Browns aren’t happy that Flacco is their starting quarterback this season. The 40-year-old signed a one-year deal this past offseason worth $4 million, which can increase to $13 million with incentives.

“Cleveland are not happy. They got to go with Flacco – a 40-year-old quarterback,” Bradshaw said on FOX NFL Sunday. “Folks, I’m not a stats guy, I studied probably more than anybody here, and we know that.

“But since 1999 there have been 40 different starting quarterbacks in Cleveland. You show me a winning organization, I’ll show you a head coach who has a great quarterback. They don’t have that in Cleveland.

Joe Flacco has been named starting quarterback for the 2025 season(Image: 2025 Diamond Images)

“I think Dillon Gabriel, the third-round pick out of Oregon, is the answer. Maybe I thought Pickett was – they moved him out to Las Vegas with the Raiders. Cleveland, Flacco, I like Flacco but look for Dillon to come in early.”

Flacco had a chance to lead a game-winning drive for the Browns on Sunday, but he threw an interception to DJ Turner, which ended the contest. Flacco was 31-for-45 with 291 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions against the Bengals.

Gabriel impressed during his senior year at Oregon and has earned the backup role ahead of Sanders. Kenny Pickett was competing for the role, but was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanders entered the 2025 NFL Draft as a projected first-round pick, but slid to the fifth round. The Browns eventually selected the Colorado signal caller, but the timing of the pick was questionable.

Shedeur Sanders is unlikely to see the field this season(Image: Getty Images)

Following speculation over his future, NFL insider Dianna Russini provided an update as the new season got underway. “For all the football conspiracy theorists out there trying to decode the real reason the Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders, here’s the truth: There is no big secret,” Russini said.

“The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership. It was GM Andrew Berry’s call, rooted in his belief that Cleveland’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Sanders and help him grow into an NFL quarterback.

“It will be a process, and the Browns want to keep developing him. However, don’t plan on seeing the fifth-round rookie on the field this season unless things get really weird. Cleveland believes in Joe Flacco’s experience and Dillon Gabriel’s development as the backup.”