The Cleveland Browns made it two wins out of two in preseason after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 22-13 on Saturday.
Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel started for the Browns one week after Shedeur Sanders shone in his preseason debut against the Panthers.
However, headlines from the game were dominated by Gabriel’s remarks, which many perceived to be a dig at Sanders.
While giving an interview to sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, Gabriel was asked about his comfort in front of the cameras.
“There are entertainers and there are competitors, and I totally understand that,” he said.
“My job is to compete, and that’s what I’m doing… It’s something that I’ll get used to, and I just want to be the best teammate that I can, and create an environment where we can all get our best work in.”
On the face of it Gabriel’s words seemed to be about him not loving media duties, but the clip of him saying “entertainers” and “competitors” caught attention.
Many y interpreted it as Gabriel saying he is a competitor while suggesting Sanders, who is currently out with an injury, is an entertainer.
Shannon Sharpe believes Gabriel was talking about Sanders
One person who thought Gabriel was taking a shot at Sanders was NFL legend and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
Speaking on his Nightcap podcast, Sharpe was adamant on his that the former Oregon quarterback was referencing Sanders in his quote.
“We’ve heard this before,” Sharpe remarked as he explained how others have also called Sanders an entertainer.
“He didn’t have to say that. Why did he have to throw the entertainment aspect in?
“Most people took the way I believe he intended, that he is not fancy, and he is a competitor.
“I don’t know what he thinks Shedeur is there to do”.
Dillon Gabriel insists he was not talking about Shedeur Sanders
Gabriel’s quotes circulated on social media quickly after he gave the interview,
However, the quarterback was later asked to clarify his remarks, where he explained that his “entertainers” quip was about the media and not Sanders.
“All you in this room are entertainers,” Gabriel explained.
“You have a job to do, and I respect it, right? And I’m a competitor, so I have a job to do as well.
“I’m all about our team… each other. I would never make that – and I’ve said it before, that’s why it’s interesting.
“But for me, I have to explain it: entertainers are you all, competitor, that’s what I am and all my teammates, and we both have jobs to do.”
However, Sharpe wasn’t buying it, suggesting that Gabriel knew what he was doing with his words.
“Damage was done, everybody knows what he meant,” the former NFL star said.
Gabriel himself may have been surprised by the impact of his words, which took away from what was a solid performance on his Browns debut.
The 24-year-old went 13-of-18 passing for 143 yards.
However, he also had an interception that resulted in a pick-6, and also took two sacks and a lost fumble..
“Plenty to clean up,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Gabriel’s play after the game.
“There’s some things that I thought he did well. I thought our offense as a whole on third down was very good early, which allowed us to stay on the field, because I don’t think we were great on first and second down, but plenty to clean up.”
After Sanders impressed on his Browns debut, it’s hard to say if either rookie has an advantage through two preseason games.
The Browns also have Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley, and the injured Deshaun Watson, who has returned to the field, on their depth chart, making it one of the most crowded QB rooms in the NFL.
Competition for QB1 status continues to heat up, with fans able to get an even closer look at the battle now the Browns are releasing a TV series about the competition between signal callers.
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