Browns General Manager faulted Shedeur Sanders for lacking intelligence, to which Sanders presented a flawless retort
Battle for the Browns' Starting Quarterback Role Heats Up
The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of a fierce competition to determine their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, with four contenders vying for the coveted position. Deshaun Watson, who typically holds the role, is sidelined due to a right Achilles tendon injury, leaving Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett to battle it out.
Among the contenders, the rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel (third-round pick) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth-round pick) have been drawing significant attention. NFL insider Dan Orlovsky suggests that these young quarterbacks could be the primary competitors for the starting job, rather than involving all four equally.
Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also remain in the competition, with the Browns giving each quarterback a fair chance to prove themselves during training camp and preseason games. The coaching staff is closely evaluating their performances as training progresses, with discussions on whether the team might even keep all four quarterbacks on the roster given their potential and value as future assets.
Dillon Gabriel, with his youthful energy, has been making waves in an unconventional way. He's been throwing to equipment staffers as a means of putting in extra work. On the other hand, Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has been impressing with his potential, despite being a late fifth-round pick. He completed eight of his 11 pass attempts for three touchdowns in team drills on day four of training camp.
However, Sanders has not been taking reps with the first-team offense in either the offseason workout program or training camp practices. This has led some, like J.J. Watt, to question the validity of training camp stats, calling them "insane and ridiculous."
The Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski and staff will use training camp practices, joint sessions with other teams, and preseason games to finalize their decision on who will lead the team this fall. The Wrightway Sports Network has even suggested that the right move for the Browns is to let Shedeur Sanders start from day 1.
In conclusion, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders stand out as the most promising future-focused options, while Flacco and Pickett provide veteran competition. The competition is open, and the Browns are yet to name a definitive starter, leaving the race wide open going into the season.
The 2025 NFL season's battle for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback role remains heated, with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterbacks, potentially being the primary contenders, according to NFL insider Dan Orlovsky. Meanwhile, veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also compete for the position, their performances closely scrutinized by the coaching staff. The Browns' decision on the starting quarterback will be determined through training camp practices, joint sessions with other teams, and preseason games. Amidst this struggle, the NFL season ahead promises an exciting American football spectacle for the Browns.