The Cleveland Browns’ QB situation is only worsening. But despite rookie QB1 Dillon Gabriel’s declining performances, HC Kevin Stefanski is not ready to move to rookie Shedeur Sanders. However, that hasn’t stopped the backup QB from planning what he will do when he finally makes his NFL start.

“Last week, I looked up your video of your pregame dance, and I sent it in the group chat. I was like, because my back was hurt, so you know I got a shot. So then I said, ‘I’m gonna act like that after I get the shot.'” Sanders told Ray Lewis. 

Few things in sports are more iconic than the Baltimore Ravens legend’s Squirrel Dance. And so is its origin.

Apparently, Lewis’ childhood friend, Kirby Lee, would always do that dance growing up. After he retired from the armed forces, the Vietnam vet became the linebacker’s biggest fan. To honor him, Lewis once told him that if he got the chance, he would do the Squirrel Dance on TV. As it turned out, his chance came quite quickly.

When the NFL started introducing players, Lewis once stood dead last in the line. So, coming out of the tunnel, he broke into the dance, moving his body like a squirrel moves. Since then, he has done it as his pregame move. Given the relationship Shedeur Sanders has with him, we can see why the Browns QB would make it to the top of his list.

In fact, the Colorado alum has known Lewis since he was just a three-year-old. As the young QB waited for his father, Deion Sanders, who played for the Ravens from 2004 to 2005, in the locker room, he would talk to his then teammates, including the LB. Today, that connection has grown into a strong friendship.

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Recently, Shedeur Sanders’ bond with Ray Lewis has been taking over the social media platforms. They were seen talking at the Arizona–Colorado game and later appeared together in an Instagram reel discussing the Browns. The two have met several times, including the time when Lewis visited Colorado and gave a speech to the team. The instance saw him interacting with the players, including Sanders.

While the Browns’ QB situation remains as unresolved as ever, now we know Sanders is ready to move on from his previous pregame walks and celebration dances.

Back in Colorado, Sanders and his father and coach Deion would deliberately walk along the sidelines slowly as their pregame ritual. The Browns QB repeated that sequence when he made his NFL debut in the preseason. However, of course, his father wasn’t present with him at the time.

In September 2023, Sanders also gave a nod to his father as he made a 6-yard rushing TD for a Colorado win over Nebraska. Specifically, he broke into the Deion Shuffle, one of the many signature celebration routines the NFL legend used to do.

Now, all he has to do is wait some more to finally get his golden chance to not just make an NFL regular-season debut but also his start.

Shedeur Sanders keenly awaits the starter opportunity amid Gabriel’s ongoing issues

There’s no doubt that the Browns’ offense is struggling. Entering Week 10 against the New York Jets, the 2-6 Cleveland still ranks dead last in its offense according to PFF. But it’s not that Stefanski hasn’t done anything about improving the results. First, Joe Flacco led the team under center but was first benched and then traded in favor of Gabriel after a string of bad performances.

However, things didn’t change much. Just like Flacco’s first four starts, the team is also 1-3 with Gabriel.

And that’s where the opportunity for Sanders might open.

Sanders has only started for the Browns once, and that was in their preseason opener. But it was safe to say that he had made his case with the 30-10 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, where he threw for 138 yards on 14 of 23 completions and 2 TDs. Sure, he dropped his value in the preseason finale against the LA Rams, but with practice, he might return to his previous form. However, that’s the hurdle.

Kevin Stefanski made it clear that Sanders is not yet the focus for the starting job. For now, he simply wants to focus on Gabriel. In fact, unlike the third-rounder as a backup to Flacco, Sanders isn’t even getting the first-team reps. But he is optimistic, as reflected by his recent preparation schedule.

The Browns’ OC Tommy Rees previously clarified that Sanders is making improvements. The 23-year-old is also studying extra game film and practicing with top players like Amari Cooper.

For now, Gabriel remains their QB1 against the Jets. But if Sanders is named the starter in Week 10, it will still not be an easy first game. The Jets are struggling with a 16th-ranked defense, according to PFF, but have a more experienced team compared to either of the rookies under center for the Browns. However, with the Browns’ playoff hopes fading and owner Jimmy Haslam wanting to check out both the rookies before the 2026 NFL Draft, head coach Stefanski just might give him a shot.