Shedeur Sanders on his relationship with Dillon Gabriel: ‘We’re truly cool’

Before the Cleveland Browns finally granted former University of Colorado Boulder quarterback Shedeur Sanders his wish of getting drafted, selecting him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they drafted another one of the top signal-callers in the nation from the 2024-25 collegiate season in the third round.

Specifically, they drafted former University of Oregon star Dillon Gabriel with the No. 94 overall pick. Gabriel ended his college career as the all-time leader in career passing touchdowns with a whopping 155 across six seasons, and he led his conference in total completed passes and passing yards per game last season with the Ducks.

Gabriel and Sanders both have the same goal they’re working toward in the sense that they’re vying to be the Browns’ starting quarterback in the 2025 season, but that common goal seemingly hasn’t negatively impacted their relationship at all. Sanders touched on his relationship with the other young quarterback recently and said he and Gabriel are “truly cool.”

“Everything’s been cool,” Sanders told SportsCasting’s DJ Siddiqi. “He’s a cool person. I like how he handles situations, especially just the negative media that’s coming his way. I’m just happy he’s positive, he’s able to handle everything. We’re truly cool.”

While Gabriel was chosen with the No. 94 selection, the Browns drafted Sanders with the No. 144 overall pick. There were plenty of draftniks who viewed Sanders to be a first-round talent, so his free fall in the draft drew plenty of attention.

Sanders and Gabriel both bolster the depth of a Browns team that was lacking in great talent at the all-important quarterback position last season. Of the four quarterbacks — Jameis Winston, Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe — who suited up for the Browns over the course of the season, Winston and Watson were the only two to throw more touchdowns than interceptions. Additionally, Thompson-Robinson threw six interceptions compared to zero touchdowns in the 2024 season.

The lack of production the Browns got from their quarterbacks was a contributing factor in the team ending up in a tie for the worst record in the NFL. The Browns mustered just three wins across their 17-game slate and saw their campaign end on a six-game losing streak.

Whether Sanders, Gabriel or someone else entirely will impress enough to be named the Browns’ starting quarterback in the 2025 season will be an interesting storyline to follow as the campaign draws nearer.