In the world of professional sports, quarterback competitions are often intense, scrutinized, and sometimes mired in controversy.

Recently, a Cleveland-based sports reporter, Daryl Rutder, who works for Cleveland’s 92. 3 The Fan, has made waves by exposing what he claims is a rigged quarterback competition between rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns.

According to Rutder, the Browns never intended for Sanders to win the starting job, and the entire competition was a setup favoring Gabriel.

Daryl Rutder, a respected insider covering the Cleveland Browns, has been vocal about his observations during the Browns’ training camp and preseason activities.

He asserts that the Browns front office has been preparing Dylan Gabriel to take the reins as the starting quarterback, while Shedeur Sanders was never truly given a fair shot.

Rutder’s claims include that the reps Sanders received in practice were limited and skewed.

The offensive schemes and play-calling during practice sessions were allegedly designed to make Sanders look bad, while Gabriel was given the best receivers, first-team offensive line protection, and plays tailored to his strengths.

Rutder calls this a “setup,” not a competition.

Rutder also points out that some media pundits and commentators have been complicit in pushing a narrative favoring Gabriel.

He mentions individuals like Albert Breier, who made disparaging and arguably racist comments about Sanders, and Mary Kay, another media figure who appears to support Gabriel.

Rutder pushes back against these biases, emphasizing that Gabriel should not be considered ahead of Sanders based on his performance.

The media’s portrayal, Rutder suggests, is influenced by external pressures and agendas, which has complicated the public perception of the quarterback battle.

One of the key questions is why the Browns would seemingly favor Gabriel over Sanders, especially since Sanders was drafted in the third round, a higher pick than Gabriel.

Rutder explains that Gabriel fits the mold the Browns’ ownership prefers: safe, quiet, coachable—or as he puts it, “controllable.

” Gabriel is seen as someone who fits the traditional narrative and can be molded by the franchise’s management and PR machine.

In contrast, Shedeur Sanders is described as confident, vocal, and independent, traits that the Browns’ front office reportedly finds threatening.

Sanders comes from a legacy of greatness, with a strong family name and a personal brand, which makes him less malleable in the eyes of the franchise.

The controversy goes beyond just football.

Rutder claims that there is pressure from league insiders, other NFL owners, and local sponsors to keep Sanders sidelined.

This pressure is allegedly due to Sanders’ potential to disrupt the status quo—a young Black quarterback with swagger, a strong family legacy, and a platform that challenges the existing NFL power structures.

According to Rutder, even the Browns’ general manager, Andrew Berry, who may personally favor Sanders, is overruled by the team owner Jimmy Haslam, who has his own agenda focused on other sports franchises and business interests.

For Sanders, this alleged setup means that his opportunity to prove himself on the field has been unfairly limited.

The reps he has received have been second-team at best, with poor protection and predictable play calls designed to fail.

Meanwhile, Gabriel benefits from the best resources and support.

This situation has led to frustration among Sanders’ supporters who feel that the competition was never genuine.

The narrative that Gabriel “earned” the starting job is challenged by insiders who say Sanders was never given a real chance.

The situation highlights ongoing issues in the NFL regarding race, control, and player autonomy.

Historically, Black quarterbacks have faced systemic challenges in gaining respect and opportunity in the league.

Rutder’s commentary suggests that these dynamics are still very much alive in 2025.

Sanders’ case is emblematic of a larger struggle where talented Black quarterbacks who do not conform to the expected mold are marginalized.

The Browns’ handling of the competition is seen by many as a microcosm of this broader issue.

The public reaction has been mixed. Some Cleveland Browns fans have defended the team’s decisions and supported Gabriel, while others have expressed frustration and anger over what they perceive as unfair treatment of Sanders.

Social media has been a battleground, with some fans attacking Sanders unfairly, while others call out the Browns for what they see as a deliberate attempt to suppress a promising young quarterback.

Despite the controversy and setbacks, many believe that Sanders’ time to shine will come. Talent and determination, Rutder and others note, cannot be suppressed forever.

When given the opportunity, Sanders is expected to prove his worth and potentially become a star in the NFL.

The story of Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns is far from over.

It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay of sports, politics, race, and business in professional football.

The revelations by Cleveland Browns insider Daryl Rutder shed light on a troubling aspect of the NFL quarterback competition involving Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel.

According to Rutder, the Browns orchestrated a scenario where Sanders was set up to fail, favoring Gabriel as the safer, more controllable option.

This controversy raises important questions about fairness, transparency, and racial dynamics in the NFL.

As fans and analysts watch closely, the hope remains that true talent and merit will ultimately prevail, and that players like Shedeur Sanders will be given the opportunities they deserve.