The Cleveland Browns have made several notable moves in preparation for the 2025 NFL season as they lock down their quarterback options at the Huntington Bank Field and Johnny Manziel is tipping Shedeur Sanders for big things.
Decisions including the trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders following his struggles with hamstring injuries and the call to release Ty Huntley after his brief stint with the team.
That leaves Joe Flacco as the starter with Dillon Gabriel named backup and the 23-year-old son of Coach Prime as the third chair, placing the rookie in a limited emergency role.
While the decision is tactical from head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s perspective, Sanders still has vocal supporters outside the organization, including from the former Browns quarterback, Johnny Manziel, who feels the move may be misjudged.
“You have Shedeur walk in here. I really feel deep down that he can be the guy moving forward to maybe shake things up and do something different,” Manziel told Glory Daze.
Having navigated the pressures of the NFL himself, Manziel understands the challenges of earning a starting role and sees potential in Sanders that deserves attention.
Sanders’ preseason performance highlighted his capabilities. In his first game, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, without surrendering a sack.
However, he did follow this up with just 14 passing yards and suffering five sacks, which led to Huntley replacing him in the final minutes against the Chicago Browns.
Although it was an inconsistent showing, Kevin’s call fueled criticism from analysts such as Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, who suggested that Stefanski might have prematurely written off the rookie.
Yet the boss defended his roster strategy, emphasizing the importance of rookie development of the young talents to make sure they aren’t spat out of the sport without being given a fair chance.
For example, Gabriel, praised for consistent progress during training camp, was named QB2. As Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot noted on 92.3 The Fan, Stefanski “understood that Dillon showed them some things, especially in that last game.”
Meanwhile, Sanders remains on the active roster as the third quarterback, with Deshaun Watson still sidelined on the PUP list as he tries to work his way back from an Achilles tear over the winter.
Despite Stefanski‘s confidence in Gabriel and Flacco, Manziel’s endorsement underscores the growing narrative that Sanders may force a reevaluation of the depth chart.
If Sanders can translate his flashes of talent from preseason into consistent performance during the regular season, he could challenge the current hierarchy and compel Stefanski to reconsider the QB pecking order.
Who do the Browns play in Week 1 and where to watch?
The Browns will open their 2025 NFL season on Sunday, September 7, against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland in an all-Ohio clash in the AFC North.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT, with the game broadcast on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+.
The game will see Flacco and his team face off against Joe Burrows, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
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