Julian Edelman Names Shedeur Sanders Preseason MVP, Warns Dillon Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns have solidified their quarterback lineup ahead of the 2025 regular season, with veteran Joe Flacco named the starter for Week 1. Following the recent trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, the team’s third-round draft pick, Dillon Gabriel, emerges as the backup. This decision has left many fans disappointed, particularly those hoping for more action from Shedeur Sanders, who has struggled to find his place on the depth chart despite notable preseason performances.

In the first week of the preseason, Sanders, a former standout at Colorado, impressed against the Carolina Panthers’ starting defense. However, his subsequent performance against the Los Angeles Rams raised questions, as he managed only six pass attempts throughout the game. Despite these setbacks, former New England Patriot Julian Edelman has publicly supported Sanders, going so far as to name him his Preseason MVP during a recent episode of his podcast, Games with Names.

“It’s gotta be Shedeur,” Edelman stated emphatically. “You can say what you want. Whatever you thought before that game, that game was a huge game for [Shedeur Sanders]. I don’t care what anyone says… He went out there and played f**king pretty good. He played pretty damn good… He had a form of execution that looked like a competent football team, and when was the last time we saw that in Cleveland?”

Edelman’s endorsement comes at a crucial time for the Browns. He also issued a warning to Gabriel, saying, “Dillon Gabriel, you better get your a** healthy.” This comment underscores the pressure on Gabriel to maintain his health and performance, especially now that he holds the backup position behind Flacco.

Gabriel, at 24 years old, showed promise in his outing against the Rams, completing 12 of 19 passes for a total of 129 yards and one touchdown. Despite his efforts, the current depth chart appears firmly in place, with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and other team officials indicating that this arrangement was expected.

For Sanders, the path to the field may require both Flacco and Gabriel to face significant struggles or injuries. Given the Browns’ historical challenges with quarterback injuries, it is not unfathomable to think that Sanders may see action sooner than anticipated.

As the regular season approaches, the dynamics of the quarterback situation in Cleveland will be closely watched. The pressure is on Gabriel to step up while Sanders awaits his opportunity to prove his worth on the field. The upcoming weeks will certainly be critical for all involved in this unfolding narrative.