Cam Newton Defends Shedeur Sanders Amid QB Shuffle

The Cleveland Browns benched Joe Flacco after a 1-3 start and named rookie Dillon Gabriel the Week 5 starter while keeping Shedeur Sanders as the third-string quarterback. Sanders drew attention by miming reporters' questions in the locker room after the roster move, and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan called the behavior “an embarrassment.” Former NFL MVP Cam Newton and FS1’s Nick Wright defended Sanders, arguing some criticism reflects his high profile and status as a young Black quarterback and noting he showed preseason promise before an injury. Browns coaches, including offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, have signaled they prefer Flacco as the immediate backup and are reluctant to give Sanders regular-season reps. If Gabriel and Flacco continue to struggle, Cleveland may ultimately play Sanders or reassess its quarterback plans ahead of future draft decisions.