Damian Lillard Enters the Shedeur Sanders Debate as Dillon Gabriel Shines in Browns Debut

Shedeur Sanders managed to dominate NFL headlines this Sunday — without saying a single word, miming a gesture, or even stepping foot on the field.

The drama unfolded as Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, made his NFL debut in a narrow 21–17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the defeat, Gabriel impressed both fans and analysts with his poise under pressure, efficient ball distribution, and smart decision-making (source: ESPN).

According to Bleacher Report, Gabriel completed short and medium passes with confidence, finishing with 190 passing yards, two red-zone touchdowns, and no interceptions. While those numbers may not be eye-popping, the rookie’s command of the offense earned praise from Browns coaches and analysts alike — and inadvertently reignited the ongoing Shedeur Sanders debate.

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Sanders Fans Push Back as Gabriel Gains Momentum

Naturally, Shedeur Sanders’ loyal supporters were less than thrilled with the sudden hype around Gabriel’s performance. Many pointed out that Gabriel’s “dink-and-dunk” approach didn’t exactly scream superstar potential, while others argued that his mistake-free game was exactly what Cleveland needed in a rebuilding season.

On social media, the discourse quickly became heated. “These people tried to convince us Dillon Gabriel was the answer, and this dude couldn’t throw more than five yards downfield,” one fan vented on X (formerly Twitter). Another replied in defense of Gabriel, noting that “he actually threw deep — receivers just dropped it. We love Shedeur, but Gabriel looked solid. Facts are facts.”

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Damian Lillard Joins the Conversation — and Stirs It Up

Enter NBA superstar Damian Lillard, a longtime football enthusiast and known supporter of the Sanders family. The seven-time NBA All-Star threw gasoline on the fire when he suggested on X that Shedeur Sanders should be traded to the Las Vegas Raiders to replace struggling quarterback Geno Smith, who threw for 228 yards and two costly interceptions during a 40–6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts (source: NFL.com).

“Time to go ahead and trade for Shedeur, man. SMFH,” Lillard wrote.

Lillard’s comment quickly went viral, drawing thousands of responses and sparking fierce debate. Some applauded the idea, seeing Shedeur — the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — as a rising star who deserves a chance on a team willing to build around him. Others mocked Lillard’s football insight, saying he was “a prisoner of the moment.”

“This is like saying Lamelo Ball isn’t working out, so let’s bring in Bronny,” one fan joked. Another replied, “Bro, Geno’s got nine picks by Week 5. It’s not crazy to want change.”

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Lillard Defends Geno Smith — But Still Wants Shedeur

When one fan labeled Geno Smith “washed,” Lillard pushed back slightly. “He not washed,” the NBA guard responded. “He just turning the ball over. But it’s time to get Shedeur on the team and get ready for the future.”

Sports outlets like The Athletic noted that Lillard’s comments reflect a broader fan sentiment: the Raiders’ offense has lacked spark and consistency, and the idea of bringing in a young, confident quarterback like Shedeur Sanders feels appealing — even if it’s purely hypothetical at this stage.

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Off the Court, Lillard Has Time to Play NFL Analyst

It’s worth noting that Lillard currently has plenty of time to engage in NFL talk. The Milwaukee Bucks star suffered a torn Achilles tendon in May 2025 and is expected to miss the entire 2025–26 NBA season, with a return projected for the start of 2026–27 (source: Sports Illustrated).

A seven-time All-Star, 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Lillard has long been vocal about his love for football. With his rehab ongoing, fans joked that “Dame D.O.L.L.A.” might have a future as an ESPN commentator.

For now, though, his spontaneous NFL takes — especially when it comes to Shedeur Sanders — are keeping social media buzzing. As one USA Today columnist put it, “The intersection of sports, celebrity, and social media means every Shedeur Sanders mention turns into a full-blown culture debate — and Damian Lillard just made sure that won’t stop anytime soon.”