As the Cleveland Browns prepare for the upcoming NFL season, the quarterback room is starting to get crowded – and changes may be on the horizon as Shedeur Sanders prepares for his rookie season.
With five quarterbacks currently on the roster, the team will eventually need to narrow that number down to three. While Deshaun Watson is still recovering from injury, the real competition lies among veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with rookies Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
The front office faces some difficult decisions, but one team insider believes at least part of that decision may already be in motion. According to Zac Jackson, the Browns may already be leaning toward moving on from one of the new additions.
Jackson, who covers the Browns closely, gave a clear view of how the quarterback pecking order appears to be taking shape. Speaking about Sanders, the fifth-round pick from Colorado, Jackson was optimistic.
“I watch him. He is talented. I hear things, he’s handling things well. We’ll see… He’s gonna have to win every single day in the meetings, in the asking questions, in the practices, just to earn more chances.”
Sanders on the rise but Gabriel is struggling
Despite being drafted two rounds after Dillon Gabriel, Sanders seems to be gaining ground quickly. Jackson didn’t hold back in evaluating the rookie competition, making it clear that Sanders has impressed early on, while Gabriel hasn’t made the same kind of impact.
Jackson said, “I don’t see the other guy impressing at all, and I’m not trying to be personal with him. He does not look like an NFL quarterback and 31 other draft rooms didn’t think he was a second-day pick. So he’s going to have to earn those too.”
This blunt assessment puts Gabriel’s chances of making the final roster in question. While he was drafted higher, his performance so far reportedly hasn’t backed up that investment. On the flip side, Sanders appears to be exceeding expectations, even drawing attention as a potential long-term contributor.
Joe Flacco, meanwhile, is expected to serve as the starter while Watson remains out. The veteran quarterback re-signed with the team after playing a key role during the 2023 campaign. At 40 years old, Flacco brings leadership and experience – qualities the Browns seem to value highly.
As for Sanders, the team may be viewing him as a developmental asset who could slide into the backup role. While that leap wouldn’t be easy for a rookie, the early signs suggest he’s earning the trust of those within the organization.
If Sanders continues to perform at this level through OTAs and training camp, Gabriel’s future in Cleveland could become increasingly uncertain. With roster cuts looming, the Browns will have to make tough choices – and based on current reports, the writing may already be on the wall for at least one quarterback.
As the offseason unfolds, the quarterback battle in Cleveland is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched competitions in the NFL.
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