Robert Griffin III Calls for Browns to Commit to Shedeur Sanders, Trade Dillon Gabriel

The former NFL quarterback believes Sanders should be the Browns' starting QB and wants them to trade Dillon Gabriel.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:21am

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Robert Griffin III has called for the Cleveland Browns to commit to Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback and trade away Dillon Gabriel. Griffin believes Sanders has the support of the head coach, locker room, and fan base, and his team-friendly contract would allow the Browns to build around him. However, Sanders struggled in his limited playing time last season, throwing 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and will need to use them to improve the roster around whichever quarterback they choose to lead the team.

Why it matters

The Browns have been in a state of dysfunction for years, and their quarterback situation remains unsettled. Sanders was a polarizing draft pick, and the new coaching staff will have to determine if he is the long-term answer at the position. Griffin's public endorsement of Sanders could influence the team's decision-making, but the Browns need to carefully evaluate all of their options to try to turn the franchise around.

The details

In his podcast 'Outta Pocket with RGIII', Griffin III said that Sanders 'has the locker room, he has the fans, and he has the bravado and the moxie to lead this organization out of the dysfunction that they currently have.' Griffin believes the Browns should trade away Dillon Gabriel and commit to Sanders as their starting quarterback. However, Sanders struggled in his limited playing time last season, and his current stats only rank him 46th nationally with an impact score of 56.9 and a Grade F on PFSN's NFL Quarterback Impact metrics.

  • In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.
  • The Browns hired new head coach Todd Monken this offseason.
  • Sanders started 8 games last season, throwing 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

A quarterback drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, who started 8 games for the team last season.

Robert Griffin III

A former NFL quarterback who has called for the Browns to commit to Shedeur Sanders as their starting QB and trade away Dillon Gabriel.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who will be tasked with reviving the franchise.

Dillon Gabriel

A quarterback currently on the Browns' roster, whom Griffin has suggested the team should trade to the Atlanta Falcons.

Kevin Stefanski

The former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who drafted Dillon Gabriel last season.

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What they’re saying

“He (Sanders) has the locker room, he has the fans, and he has the bravado and the moxie to lead this organization out of the dysfunction that they currently have.”

— Robert Griffin III (Outta Pocket with RGIII)

What’s next

The Browns will need to evaluate their quarterback situation during training camp to determine who will be their starting QB for the 2026 season. They also have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft that they can use to improve the roster around whichever quarterback they choose to lead the team.

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains unsettled, and they will need to carefully evaluate all of their options, including Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, to try to turn the franchise around. While Robert Griffin III's endorsement of Sanders carries weight, the team must make the decision that they believe gives them the best chance of success moving forward.