The Cleveland Browns enter 2025 with a crowded quarterback room and no clear front-runner to start the season, leading Shedeur Sanders to fret over his role and longterm future.
ESPN’s latest roster rankings highlight the Browns’ QB unit as its most concerning spot, noting that rolling with four starters could be more curse than boon. With Deshaun Watson still sidelined, and no definitive passer emerging, Cleveland is preparing for what looks like a multi-quarterback approach this season.
Veteran presence comes via Joe Flacco, whose consistency and experience make him the leading voice in the room. Alongside him, Kenny Pickett offers youth and upside following a less-than-stellar first two seasons.
Then there are the rookies: third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders, both vying for attention in one of the most competitive camps in recent memory.
Rookies in the mix, but who starts?
Gabriel brings significant college film and experience, and he’s already been noted for grasping the offense quickly in early practices. That could give him a slight edge in the scramble for starting opportunities.
In contrast, Sanders – descended from NFL royalty as the son of Deion Sanders – despite flash performances at camp, still trails behind, receiving fewer rep reps with the first-team offense.
Sanders flashed in OTAs and minicamp, posting a 77.3 percent completion rate with nine touchdowns and a single interception. But the lack of 11-on-11 reps and coaching preferences have seen Flacco and Pickett preferred for starter duties. If Sanders can’t climb the depth chart by the preseason, he risks being cut or relegated to the practice squad.
With the Browns likely keeping only three QBs, one of the rookies could be squeezed out. Veteran leadership matters, and Joe Flacco is firmly in the mix for Week 1. Pickett seems poised to push for the backup role, offering a blend of youth and playoff experience.
Gabriel’s experience may give him the inside track as Cleveland’s “quarterback of the future,” while Sanders’ royal pedigree could be overshadowed by in-practice inconsistencies and fewer opportunities.
If the Browns decide to limit their QB roster to three, Gabriel may have the edge – leaving Sanders in a precarious position despite his name recognition and recent resurgence in headlines and social media buzz.
Long term vs. short term
The Browns are at a crossroads. They can ride vets like Flacco and Pickett to steady performance in 2025, sacrificing longer-term upside. Alternatively, the franchise could double down on their rookies – Gabriel and Sanders – embracing a radical youth movement but banking on development time they may not have.
For Sanders, in particular, the upcoming preseason is critical. Despite a strong college career and fan attention, he finds himself the most vulnerable among four quarterbacks. If he doesn’t earn trust and reps in August, he may not fit into Cleveland’s short-term plans.
Cleveland’s quarterback situation stands as its most prominent vulnerability. The team is unlikely to stick with four QBs, and that decision puts Sanders on uncertain ground. His development hinges on impressing coaches before preseason ends.
As the Browns tread the line between veteran reliability and rookie development, Shedeur Sanders may be the casualty of that balancing act.
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