The Cleveland Browns head into the 2025 NFL season with more questions than answers at quarterback. While Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, and Joe Flacco were already in the mix before the NFL Draft, the team added two rookies—Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—to shake things up.
Now, with OTAs underway in Berea, the battle is heating up. And the spotlight, as usual, is shining bright on Sanders.
Sanders Continues To Push Through Critics One Week Into OTAs
Sanders’ journey has not been easy. From a projected top-five selection to sliding to the fifth round, the Browns QB has a chip on his shoulder. Despite finding the light at the end of the tunnel and being selected by Cleveland, the media continues to be relentless.
Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi reported that Sanders did not participate in the 11v11 portion of an OTA workout open to the media.
Shedeur Sanders didn’t take 11-on-11 reps during the Browns’ OTA practice open to media last week, but Kevin Stefanski said Sanders has done so in other practices.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) June 2, 2025
“He’s a great, great kid,” Stefanski told ESPN Cleveland. “He’s working like crazy, just like all the guys. These rookies, my office is downstairs. They’ve gotta walk by my office as they come in, and they come in early. Shedeur, like all those guys, he’s in there early. He’s getting his work done. He’s working really, really hard. I like everything there is about Shedeur.“
The Sports Illustrated piece from Jack Carlough discusses how OTAs have looked thus far and will continue to look for Stefanski’s Browns.
The 43-year-old head coach describes that while an even 25% split amongst quarterbacks will not apply, the young Browns have been putting in the work.
Browns Revolving QB Door Continues To Spin With No Inevitable End
Since 1999, the Browns have led the NFL in quarterbacks starting one game, with 40. Last season, Jameis Winston and Bailey Zappe joined the long list.
With Pickett likely to be the man at the helm (at least to begin 2025), he will become the 41st Brown to start a game since 1999.
As Gabriel and Sanders battle for their spot, they too have the opportunity to join the long list of quarterbacks.
While the statistic is intriguing, Cleveland does not look back on it fondly. Their long list of quarterback instability towers over their divisional opponents, who have collectively dismantled the Browns in recent history.
Since 1999, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had 16 quarterbacks start a game, the Cincinnati Bengals (14), and the Baltimore Ravens (21).
Perhaps the Browns’ brass were thinking of ending the treacherous cycle when they selected both Gabriel and Sanders.
But whoever begins the season at the helm for Cleveland will look to lead the club to a fast start as the Browns host their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. EST.