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Shedeur Sanders responds to perceived shot at him from Dillon Gabriel: ‘It is what it is’

Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral last week following a comment he made during a preseason game between the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. He specifically mentioned “entertainers and competitors,” which some viewed as a shot at Shedeur Sanders.

Gabriel discussed his mindset as he goes through the Browns’ quarterback competition with Sanders, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in the room. His focus is simply on competing and trying to lift the rest of his teammates up in the process.

As a leader, Gabriel said he wants to make sure everyone is in position to succeed. While there are also “entertainers” out there, he fits more of the “competitor” mold.

“It’s just part of it,” Gabriel said. “There’s entertainers and there’s competitors. And I totally understand that. My job is to compete. That’s what I’m focused on doing. Of course, we’re doing this mid-game, but it’s something that I’ll get used to. Just want to be the best teammate I can and create an environment where we all can go do our best work. That’s all we want to do.”

Sanders was asked at a media opportunity on Thursday about Gabriel’s comments, where he shot down any possibility the comments were about him. He also revealed that his fellow quarterback let him know the comments were truly not about him.

“Honestly I don’t even think about anything. If it’s not words or anything, you know at this point it can’t do anything to me,” Sanders said. “I know that God put the ability and power in me to not even think about nobody else’s comments. I don’t care. I spoke with him and he said, he came up on the plane and said ‘nah bro that wasn’t at you. I see how they’re trying to spin it.’ So I was like alright, I’m not tripping. Regardless of whatever it was, nobody’s words are anything that affects me.”

“Do I feel like (the shot was at me), I don’t know. That’s not on me to sit on here and be like he did or didn’t. That’s not going to change my life in any way.”

Sanders and Gabriel have been battling it out for the QB3 role all preseason long. Sanders led the Browns in passing with 138 yards and two touchdowns in their preseason opening game against the Carolina Panthers, while Gabriel led the Browns in passing with 143 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in last Saturday’s game against the Eagles. Sanders did not play in the second game.