A viral clip from Day 1 of the Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp has set off a firestorm of debate, as former Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders appears to have outshone his fellow newcomer, Dillon Gabriel.
Shared by Browns insider Brad Stainbrook, the footage shows Sanders connecting on multiple precision throws, prompting fans to flood social media with strong takes—some lauding his poise and accuracy, others decrying what they call biased hype. With both QBs eager to make their mark in a crowded Cleveland room, this early flash has already put the franchise’s developing QB battle in the spotlight.
Former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders Draws Early Buzz
Sanders, selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a stellar Colorado career, split roughly three dozen individual-drill reps with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel on May 9 at the Browns’ CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Despite going second in team drills, Gabriel took the first snaps as the higher pick, and Sanders quickly turned heads with several “dot-level” passes, including a touchdown strike to rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.
Yes, it’s just the first day of rookie minicamp — but Shedeur Sanders looked sharper than Dillon Gabriel. This is only the beginning. The competition is real, and it’s going to be one of the stories of the season. #Browns
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) May 9, 2025
Former President Donald Trump even criticized NFL owners for letting Sanders slip to the fifth round, underscoring the hype around his potential before he’d thrown a pro pass. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, however, cautioned against overanalyzing rep orders, emphasizing that the workouts would provide the complete picture over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Gabriel showcased his strengths—throwing back-of-the-end-zone throws and demonstrating notable arm strength, with one media observer quipping, “Dillon Gabriel really does throw gas.” Both rookies smiled through the competition: Gabriel told reporters, “I love it,” when asked about facing Sanders in camp.
Fan Reaction
Social media users wasted no time weighing in—often in blunt terms. One user on X declared, “Literally no one is shocked, Shedeur is better than that dude,” capturing the sentiment of many who felt Sanders’ timing and placement were superior.
Others called out what they perceived as one-sided coverage: “Propaganda to convince people about Sanders is pathetic,” wrote another, accusing outlets of manufacturing a narrative rather than letting the competition play out.
But optimism for Sanders’ long-term prospects was equally fervent: “Shedeur came in looking poised and polished already. Suppose he keeps this up, that QB room’s gonna get real interesting real quick. Iron sharpens iron—let the battle begin!”
While it’s only the opening chapter of a summer-long process, Day 1 has already provided plenty of drama and material for fans and pundits alike. Whether Sanders’ sharp showing foreshadows a meteoric rise or Gabriel’s strength and experience prevail, one thing is clear: the Browns’ quarterback room has never been more intriguing.
KEEP READING: Shedeur Sanders Declares Why He’s Built to Win the QB Throne At Cleveland
As minicamp winds down and OTAs and training camp loom, every rep and every highlight reel clip will be scrutinized, fueling what promises to be one of the most compelling QB competitions of the season.
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