CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have officially announced their roster for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets, and all eyes will once again be on the quarterback position. Rookie Shedeur Sanders has been cleared to return from a lingering back injury and will rejoin the team’s active roster after missing Week 8.

While head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will serve as the backup quarterback in Week 10, the pressure is mounting for him to hand the starting reins to the highly touted first-year signal-caller.

The Browns (2–6) find themselves in a freefall, with the offense sputtering under current starter Dillon Gabriel, who has struggled to find his footing since replacing veteran Joe Flacco, now traded to Tampa Bay.

Sanders Cleared, But Still Waiting

Sanders’ return marks his first appearance on the active roster in nearly a month, as the former Colorado standout continues to await his NFL debut. Despite an encouraging preseason that showcased his arm strength, accuracy, and poise, Sanders has yet to take a single snap in the regular season.

Stefanski was firm but cautious when discussing his young quarterback’s status this week.

“Shedeur is healthy and ready to go,” Stefanski said. “He’s worked hard to get back, and he’ll be the No. 2 behind Dillon. We’re confident in both of those guys.”

The coach’s words did little to quiet the growing noise from fans and analysts, many of whom believe the time has come to see what Sanders can do — especially with the Browns’ playoff hopes all but extinguished.

Gabriel Under Fire

Dillon Gabriel, the rookie out of Oregon, has endured a rocky start as Cleveland’s QB1. The Browns have failed to score more than 20 points in three of his four starts, and the young quarterback currently holds the second-lowest passer rating among qualified starters.

Gabriel has thrown only four touchdowns to two interceptions and completed just 59% of his passes. While his mobility has provided some flashes, consistency has eluded him — particularly in third-down situations, where the Browns rank near the bottom of the league.

Cleveland’s offensive struggles have put Stefanski squarely in the crosshairs of criticism, with many questioning his reluctance to shake things up at quarterback.

Critics Sound Off

Former All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib didn’t mince words when addressing Stefanski’s handling of Sanders on a recent podcast.

“He should have done it from the jump,” Talib said. “Shedeur should have been in there. [Stefanski] has a personal vendetta, that’s why he isn’t playing. No matter what, Stefanski has got to go.”

Even former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel — no stranger to quarterback controversy himself — weighed in, urging the team to give Sanders his chance.

“Coming out last year, I loved Dillon Gabriel,” Manziel said. “But the best player on your team is sitting there pissed off. Put Shedeur in. Let him go. Let him rip. He looked good enough in the preseason.

“You’re not making the playoffs — you have to start building for next year. See if Shedeur is the one.”

A Franchise in Flux

The Browns entered the 2025 season optimistic after reshaping their roster through the draft and offseason trades. But inconsistency under center has undone much of that progress. Cleveland’s offense ranks 30th in scoring and 31st in red-zone efficiency, a stunning regression for a team that began the year with playoff aspirations.

The defense, led by Myles Garrett, continues to hold its own — but even elite pass rushing can’t overcome a sputtering offense.

Privately, several players have expressed support for Sanders, describing him as “composed,” “intelligent,” and “ready.” One offensive player, speaking anonymously, said: “He’s got that confidence you want in a quarterback. You feel it when he’s in the huddle.”

Stefanski’s Balancing Act

For now, Stefanski is standing firm behind Gabriel, but his patience could wear thin if the offense falters again on Sunday. The Browns’ head coach — already under scrutiny for the team’s regression since their 2023 playoff appearance — knows the noise is getting louder.

If Cleveland stumbles against the Jets and Gabriel continues to struggle, Stefanski may have no choice but to turn to Sanders, both to appease the fanbase and to evaluate his long-term potential before the offseason.

With the Browns effectively out of playoff contention, the final stretch of the season could become an audition — not just for Sanders, but for Stefanski’s job as well.