The Cleveland Browns are still searching for their starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 NFL season. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski may have already made up his mind—delivering tough news for rookie Shedeur Sanders.
During the offseason, the Browns added four new quarterbacks to their roster: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. They also still have Deshaun Watson under contract, though he’s currently recovering from a twice-torn Achilles.
The biggest topic at Browns training camp is the competition for the starting quarterback role among these five options. Still, signs point to Kevin Stefanski having already selected his preferred hierarchy.
Report: Shedeur Sanders may not be Kevin Stefanski’s top choice
This offseason is shaping up to be pivotal for Cleveland. The team has consistently failed to meet fan expectations in recent years, struggling to find consistency and falling short of playoff success.
see also
NFL News: Browns reveal possible decision about Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel for 2025
One of the biggest issues has been the offense. A lack of a true franchise quarterback has forced the Browns to lean heavily on their defense—something that’s unsustainable over a full season.
After the Deshaun Watson experiment fell flat, the Browns responded by signing four new quarterbacks. While Joe Flacco appears to be the front-runner for the starting job, the battle for the backup roles is heating up—or so fans thought.
According to Browns insider Spencer German, the current depth chart looks like this: Joe Flacco as the starter, Kenny Pickett as the backup, Dillon Gabriel in the third spot, and Shedeur Sanders at the bottom of the list. Not great news for the former Colorado Buffaloes standout.
Shedeur Sanders during the Browns rookie minicamp
“I just think right now, they view him as somebody…like I think he has things he’s working on,” German said. “And I think they view him as the guy who is the 4th man on this depth chart… I know that people don’t like reading into where they took these guys, and I know every time I bring up that sh-t or Sanders was a 5th round pick, I get ridiculed in the YouTube comments of Locked On Browns because people are mad that keeps being part of the conversation.
“But the fact of the matter is, he is a 5th round pick. He was the 2nd quarterback taken by this team and based off if Kevin Stefanski and what he said about Dillon Gabriel, the day after he was drafted, based on what we know about this team’s evaluation of him and the pre-draft process and sort of secret meeting they had with him before the Colorado pro day, they really like Dillon Gabriel.”
Can the Browns carry four quarterbacks into the 2025 NFL season?
Although this is a setback for Shedeur Sanders, there may still be a silver lining. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns are considering keeping all four quarterbacks on the active roster for the upcoming season.
see also
Despite drafting Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, Browns predicted to switch attention to generational QB
“Thanks in part to low base salaries and cap numbers for all of them, they can afford to keep all four from a financial standpoint, and it also makes sense from a roster building standpoint,” Cabot said.
SurveyWho is better?
Who is better?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
