The drama continues within the Cleveland Browns as the NFL season approaches slowly, with the quarterback room being their primary concern, as controlling this position is vital for success in the competition. The team decided to bring in Kenny Pickett via trade and sign veteran Joe Flacco, adding two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, through the 2025 NFL Draft.
Will one of the four quarterbacks be the odd one out?
Some believe that one of the rookies (Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders) might be cut before the season starts, though this possibility seems to be fading. Reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who closely follows the Cleveland Browns, wrote about the quarterback room, stating there’s a “reasonable possibility” that all four will make the final roster.
“For this season, the Browns will continue to give all four quarterbacks a bona fide chance, probably at least until after the two joint practices with Philly before the Aug. 16 preseason game there,” Cabot wrote. “But come roster cutdown day Aug. 27, there’s a decent chance all four will be on the 53-man roster.“
One of the main reasons Cabot highlights is the $7.6 million in salary cap space the Browns are using for these four players, excluding Deshaun Watson. This flexibility allows the team to evaluate their options and potentially make an unexpected move if they’re in the playoff hunt later in the season.
“If the Browns find themselves still in the playoff conversation after eight games, they’ll start whoever gives them the best chance to win regardless of their need to evaluate the rookies,” Cabot added. “In that case, they might even hang onto all four for the season. But if they’re out of it by then, or close to it, they’d undoubtedly consider unloading a veteran and turning it over to the rookies.”
For 2026, the Browns will have only two of the four current quarterbacks under contract: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. If either impresses enough, they could be considered a long-term option. If none of the four solidify their role by 2026, general manager Andrew Berry will have two first-round picks in next year’s draft, which could lead to another quarterback for the franchise.
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