The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room isn’t just crowded — it’s one of the most compelling storylines heading into the 2025 NFL season.
With five quarterbacks on the roster, ranging from a Super Bowl MVP to two late-round rookies, Cleveland has built one of the league’s most unusual and unpredictable QB depth charts. And while most teams are lucky to have two decent options under center, the Browns are trying to make sense of five.
Kevin Stefanski Sees ‘Support’ and ‘Fun’ in Cleveland Browns’ Loaded QB Room
Browns head coach, Kevin Stefanski, joined ESPN Cleveland recently and talked about the camaraderie already forming in his quarterback group.
“We got five guys in there that are really supporting each other … It’s been a fun, fun few weeks in that room covering a lot of ball,” Stefanski said.
"We got 5 guys in there that are really supporting each other," – Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on the dynamics of the QB room. pic.twitter.com/0JJFKiNJhL
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland)
This Browns quarterback room stands out because of the mix of names and experience levels in it.
Former Super Bowl champion and longtime veteran Joe Flacco is back in Cleveland for a second stint. He left briefly to play for the Indianapolis Colts but returned this offseason.
The team also traded for veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett, Jalen Hurts’ backup during the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent Super Bowl run.
Despite struggling in Cleveland since arriving, former Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson remains under contract and a part of the QB room. He ruptured his ACL again in the offseason, but is turning heads in Cleveland with the speed of his recovery.
On top of that, the Browns selected two quarterbacks in the later rounds of last month’s NFL Draft: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Both were multi-year starters at the college level and bring developmental potential.
Who Will Start for the Browns in 2025?
Right now, Flacco seems to be the front-runner for the starting job given his extensive experience. And with Flacco, experience has its layers: Entering his 18th season in the NFL, he turns 40 this year, and he is familiar with Cleveland.
Back in 2023, Flacco led the Browns to a 4-1 record as the starter, earned Comeback Player of the Year honors, and guided the team to the playoffs. His success then gives him a strong case now.
Heading into training camp, expect Flacco to be the likely starter with Pickett serving as his primary backup.
The big question is what happens with the rest of the group. It’s unlikely the Browns carry five quarterbacks into the regular season.
That means tough decisions are coming involving Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders. Stefanski could opt to keep four on the 53-man roster and stash one on the practice squad if that ends up being the smartest roster move.
