The Cleveland Browns are facing another pivotal offseason at the quarterback position. With Deshaun Watson expected to miss time due to a recurring Achilles injury, the team is preparing for yet another reshuffling under center – and this year’s competition may be the most unpredictable yet.
To prepare for Watson‘s absence, general manager Andrew Berry made a flurry of moves. First, the Browns re-signed veteran Joe Flacco, who helped guide them to the playoffs in 2023 and won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Then, they traded for Kenny Pickett, a former first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland wasn’t done – they used two mid-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to add Dillon Gabriel from Oregon and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, creating a crowded and competitive quarterback room heading into training camp.
With four passers on the depth chart, the Browns won’t keep all of them on the 53-man roster. But who gets the first crack at starting?
Flacco leads early odds, but Sanders remains a wildcard
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Joe Flacco is the current favorite to be Cleveland’s Week 1 starter at +116, followed by Kenny Pickett at +220. The odds become even more intriguing with Shedeur Sanders at +370, outpacing fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who is listed at +830.
Sanders, despite being selected after Gabriel, appears to have a better shot at winning the job based on his college résumé. The former Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year completed 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions during his final season at Colorado.
While off-field considerations likely contributed to his drop to the fifth round, Sanders was widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the draft.
In contrast, Gabriel‘s profile raises more concerns. Though he accounted for an FBS-record 189 total touchdowns, his size (5-foot-11) and arm strength led many analysts to question how well he’ll adjust to the pro level.
Even his selection at No. 94 overall was considered a surprise by some, and drafting Sanders 50 picks later only added to the confusion.
FanDuel’s line on the Browns finishing last in the AFC North (-200) reflects a lack of faith in the team’s quarterback situation – and perhaps the roster as a whole. With the division featuring elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, Cleveland needs someone to step up quickly.
Training camp will be the ultimate proving ground. If Flacco maintains his steady presence and health, he’s the safest option. But if Sanders flashes the same playmaking ability he showed in college – and if Pickett continues to underwhelm – the rookie may find himself on the fast track to the starting role.
The Browns haven’t had long-term quarterback stability in years, and Watson‘s injury only complicates the picture. For now, the battle remains wide open – and Cleveland’s future could hinge on who emerges.
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