"Tragic Manufacture": Shedeur Sanders serves as a chess piece in Browns' turbulent $385 million quarterback competition
Myles Garrett's trade request from the Cleveland Browns was withdrawn after securing a record-setting four-year, $160 million extension, keeping him with the team through 2030 [1][3][5]. The defensive star has high goals for the 2025 season, aiming to win Defensive Player of the Year again and lead the Browns to a Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, the quarterback situation in Cleveland remains fluid and highly competitive. Joe Flacco, 40, is the current QB1, with Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders also competing for playing time [2]. The Browns' quarterback group is unusually deep and somewhat unsettled, resembling a college-level competition rather than a settled NFL depth chart.
The recent addition of veteran journeyman Tyler Huntley as the team's sixth quarterback further adds to the competitive mix [2]. Shedeur Sanders, a highly talked-about rookie quarterback, is part of this competitive mix, highlighting the Browns' ongoing effort to stabilize the position after offensive struggles in recent years.
Interestingly, the Browns' QB roster features no players who have earned money in their NFL careers before being drafted by the team. The earnings of the Browns' quarterbacks are distributed as follows: Deshaun Watson ($188m), Joe Flacco ($180m), Kenny Pickett ($11m), Tyler Huntley ($6m), Dillon Gabriel ($0), and Shedeur Sanders ($1.2m) [6].
The Browns, despite having a high-earning quarterback roster, have never won a Super Bowl and last won a playoff game in 1994. The team's struggles were evident in their 3-14 record in the 2024 season, which led to Myles Garrett's initial trade request.
Deshaun Watson's tenure with the Browns has been marked by controversy, while Kenny Pickett won a Super Bowl with the Eagles before joining the Browns. Dillon Gabriel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns before Shedeur Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft [4].
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam had no interest in drafting Sanders at No. 144. Sanders is currently the fourth or fifth QB on a team that's not expected to perform well in 2025. The earnings of the Browns' quarterbacks total $385m, with Shedeur Sanders making $1.2 million [7].
The Browns' QB roster includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Tony Grossi exclusively told talkSPORT that Cleveland went on a magic carpet ride with Joe Flacco in 2023 [8]. The Browns' head coach, Kevin Stefanski, faces challenges in managing the high-earning Deshaun Watson's contract, which guarantees $230 million [9].
In summary, the Browns' quarterback competition is a chaotic and intriguing situation, with multiple experienced and young quarterbacks vying for roles. Myles Garrett's extension reaffirms his commitment and high expectations for the Browns, despite their recent struggles. The team's ongoing efforts to stabilize the quarterback position and find success on the offensive side of the ball will be a key focus in the 2025 season.
References:
- ESPN
- Cleveland.com
- NFL.com
- Athletic
- Pro Football Talk
- Sports Illustrated
- Forbes
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
- CBS Sports
- The NFL's Cleveland Browns host a diverse and competitive quarterback roster, consisting of Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
- Joe Flacco, a seasoned veteran at 40, currently holds the QB1 spot, but there's intense competition among the team for playing time.
- Although faced with ongoing offensive struggles in recent years, the Browns have invested heavily in their quarterbacks, with total earnings of $385 million.
- While the Browns have high-profile quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson, the team has yet to win a Super Bowl and last tasted playoff success in 1994.
