Mary Kay Cabot Leaks Secret Plan: Browns Accelerating Shedeur Sanders’ Timeline as Dylan Gabriel’s Future Falters

The Cleveland Browns are at a critical crossroads, facing a franchise-altering decision that could reshape their entire season and define the future of their quarterback position. Following a disastrous and highly anticipated start by Dylan Gabriel against the Minnesota Vikings, a bombshell report from veteran Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot has sent shockwaves through the NFL. A secret plan is reportedly in motion: the Browns are accelerating the timeline to get Shedeur Sanders on the field, far sooner than anyone expected. This revelation has not only created a seismic shift in the locker room but has also cast a dark cloud over the futures of Gabriel and veteran Joe Flacco. The potential move signals a new, fearless era for Cleveland, but it begs the question: what went so wrong, so fast?

Shedeur Sanders struggles, Dillon Gabriel shines: Browns postgame report  (Video) - cleveland.com

The Collapse of Dylan Gabriel: A Fleeting Hope Extinguished

When Dylan Gabriel took the field against the Minnesota Vikings, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and hope. Fans were desperate for a new spark, something to reignite a stagnant Browns offense. For a fleeting moment, it appeared Gabriel might be the answer. The first half wasn’t perfect, but he orchestrated a few strong drives, even throwing two touchdown passes that gave Cleveland early momentum.

However, as the game progressed, everything fell apart. Gabriel’s accuracy plummeted, and his throws began to sail off-target. What had initially looked like confident decision-making devolved into crippling hesitation. By the third quarter, the rhythm was gone, the timing was broken, and the Browns’ offense felt utterly flat. The relentless Vikings defense served a harsh reminder of the realities of the NFL. As the pocket collapsed, Gabriel’s physical limitations became a glaring issue. The pressure closed in fast, and he simply couldn’t escape. His field vision, a strength in college, began to crumble under the speed and power of Minnesota’s defensive front.

Then came the fatal flaw: turnovers. Fumbles began to plague his performance, one after another. Possessions that should have ended in points were wasted, and with each mistake, the team’s confidence visibly eroded. Mary Kay Cabot, who has covered the Browns for decades, was one of the first to weigh in. In her post-game analysis, she didn’t sugarcoat the situation, pointing out exactly what every fan saw: Gabriel simply could not handle the defensive pressure when it mattered most. She took to social media immediately after the game, noting his lack of late-game execution and highlighting the critical missed opportunity in the final minutes, where Gabriel failed to connect on what could have been a game-winning touchdown. That single missed throw painfully summarized the entire night.

Hollow Words and Harsh Critiques

Making matters worse was the stark contrast between Gabriel’s pre-game rhetoric and his on-field performance. Before the game, he had made headlines with comments about staying focused, tuning out the noise, and playing for the team—a statement many interpreted as a subtle jab at the high-profile Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel made it clear he was all about the team’s success, not personal fame.

After the loss, however, those words rang hollow. It’s one thing to talk about leadership and poise; it’s another to demonstrate it when the pressure is immense. And that’s precisely where Gabriel fell short. Analyst Rex Ryan, never one to mince words, was scathing in his assessment. He flatly stated that if Shedeur Sanders had been in the same situation, the game might have had a very different outcome. Ryan questioned head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to keep Joe Flacco as the backup instead of elevating Sanders, arguing that having two young, hungry quarterbacks competing for the future makes far more sense than clinging to a veteran who has clearly lost a step. Ryan’s message was simple but powerful: the Browns need to start thinking long-term. The era of short-term fixes is over. It’s time to develop the quarterbacks who can actually grow with the team—and in that equation, Shedeur Sanders is a perfect fit.

The Secret Plan Revealed: Shedeur Sanders is on the Clock

Why Shedeur Sanders was a no-brainer for the Browns at 144, and why they  had Dillon Gabriel ranked higher: Mary Kay Cabot - cleveland.com

This is where Mary Kay Cabot’s report turned the situation from a debate into a full-blown crisis for the current depth chart. According to Cabot, a trusted source with deep connections inside the organization, Shedeur Sanders is no longer just a long-term project. He is officially on the Browns’ radar for early consideration as a starting option. In other words, Cleveland isn’t waiting around anymore. They are actively preparing for Shedeur’s debut.

According to sources close to the team, Sanders’ growing influence isn’t just a practice-field phenomenon. It’s spreading throughout the locker room. Teammates have taken notice of his maturity, calm confidence, and his relentless work ethic, often putting in extra hours to study film and perfect timing with receivers. One insider even mentioned that Sanders has been building strong chemistry with key offensive players, including the same receivers who struggled to connect with Gabriel during the Vikings game. This is no coincidence; it’s a clear sign that Sanders is already positioning himself as a leader, even before taking a single snap as QB1. When you combine this with the visible frustration on the sideline during the loss, it’s evident that the Browns are ready for a change.

The Future: A New Era Awaits?

So, what happens next? The Browns’ upcoming games will likely be the final audition for Dylan Gabriel. If he continues to struggle, or if the offense remains stagnant, the door will swing wide open for Shedeur Sanders. And once that door opens, it may never close again.

With a strong defense to support him, a balanced running game, and a fan base starved for hope, Sanders could step into one of the most exciting rookie debuts in recent memory. This isn’t just about hype; it’s about preparation meeting opportunity. His father, Deion Sanders, believes he’s ready. Mary Kay Cabot believes the organization is preparing for it. And now, the fans are starting to believe it too. Cleveland has been waiting for a quarterback to rally behind, not just for a season, but for the foreseeable future. If the momentum continues to build, Shedeur Sanders is poised to be that guy.

The question now is no longer if a change is coming, but when. After watching Dylan Gabriel’s collapse, is it finally time for the Browns to hand the reins to Shedeur Sanders? Or does Coach Stefanski give Gabriel one more chance? And where does this leave Joe Flacco, a veteran now seemingly sliding towards QB3? One thing is certain: a massive shift is coming to Cleveland, and Shedeur Sanders is at the center of it all.