The Cleveland Browns entered the 2025 offseason with more questions than answers at the quarterback position.
While veteran Joe Flacco and former first-rounder Kenny Pickett bring experience, rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel have added intrigue-and competition-to the depth chart.
Yet as the Browns begin their offseason program, not everyone is convinced that Sanders, the former Colorado star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, is ready to take command of a pro offense.
Speaking on Orange and Brown Talk, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot voiced hesitation over Sanders’ NFL readiness compared to Gabriel, who was taken two rounds earlier in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“You’ve got Dillon Gabriel who is very smooth and efficient,” Cabot said. “And I thought he was that way with the pre-snap stuff even in rookie camp. He just had an unbelievable command of that kind of stuff. So, I think that is going to be important.”
Cabot emphasized that Gabriel already appears more comfortable operating within a pro-style system, which could give him an edge in the early stages of Cleveland’s offseason program.
Early command may give Gabriel a leg up
The Browns‘ crowded quarterback room has created a dynamic competition. With Deshaun Watson still recovering from Achilles surgery and expected to miss time during training camp, Cleveland has stocked up on options.
But according to Cabot, how quickly a quarterback adapts to the Browns’ scheme may carry more weight than pedigree or college accolades.
“Can Shedeur handle all of that stuff while learning a whole new scheme?” Cabot asked, highlighting a key concern about Sanders‘ transition from college to the pros.
Sanders dazzled during his 2024 season at Colorado, throwing for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and completing a national-best 74.0% of his passes.
But questions remain about whether he can replicate that success in a more complex NFL offense, particularly one led by Kevin Stefanski, known for favoring experienced quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, Gabriel-who split his college career between UCF and Oklahoma-put up strong numbers himself in 2024 with 3,857 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a 72.9% completion rate. More importantly, early reports suggest he’s adjusted quickly to Stefanski’s system.
To maximize evaluation time, Stefanski has already altered his offseason routine. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Browns included 7-on-7 team drills during rookie minicamp-uncommon for that stage of the offseason-to give Sanders and Gabriel meaningful reps without veterans crowding the field.
“Kevin Stefanski… wanted Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to be able to get some reps at a time of year when they weren’t competing with veterans for those reps,” Graziano explained.
“So Stefanski’s very conscious of trying to make this as good and close to competition as possible among all four of them.”
With four quarterbacks vying for position, the Browns are set for one of the league’s most competitive preseason battles. Sanders may have the higher profile, but Gabriel‘s grasp of the playbook and polish in practice could shift the tide.
As Cleveland gears up for training camp, the question isn’t just who has the talent-but who’s ready to lead now.
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