The Cleveland Browns face some tough decisions. With the deadline to finalize their 53-man roster approaching, the team will have to part ways with several players-starting with at least one quarterback in a crowded room that’s been tightly contested since the offseason.
On Tuesday, August 26, all NFL teams must submit their final rosters for the regular season. That means dozens of late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents, and fringe veterans will soon find themselves out of work.
For Cleveland, the spotlight is squarely on the quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The competition isn’t just about who will start-it’s also about who will remain on the roster.
Who’s on the chopping block?
The biggest question is the QB1 situation. While the Browns have hinted at the possibility of keeping all four quarterbacks, most analysts believe they’ll ultimately stick with three.
Flacco has already been named the Week 1 starter. Both Gabriel and Sanders impressed during camp and preseason, making strong cases for roster spots. Pickett, meanwhile, hasn’t played a single snap this preseason due to injury, making him the likely odd man out.
But the Browns’ roster decisions don’t end there. Running back Quinshon Judkins’ recent legal troubles could jeopardize his place on the team-unless the coaching staff opts to move on from third-stringer Pierre Strong Jr. instead.
On defense, veteran tackle Shelby Harris may also be the casualty of roster math. The arrivals of rookie Mason Graham and veteran Maliek Collins seem to have secured those two as the preferred pairing for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Encouraging signs in the preseason
The Browns’ preseason has been a much-needed confidence boost after finishing 3-14 in 2024. Cleveland has notched decisive wins-30-10 over the Carolina Panthers and 22-13 against the Philadelphia Eagles-sending hopeful signals to fans that head coach Kevin Stefanski may have finally found the right formula.
Now, with the roster cut deadline looming, the question remains: Who will stay, and who will be sent packing? The answer will come in just a few days.
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