Dan Labbe and Mary Kay Cabot both know a thing or two about the Browns’ organization as longtime beat reporters in Cleveland. It seems like everyone was shocked by their selection of Shedeur Sanders in fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, especially after the team chose quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round.
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson’s status remains unknown as he recovers from injury Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett round out the depth chart, but neither one screams QB1.
Despite a Strong Summer, Shedeur Sanders Remains QB4
No matter how little Pickett has done in his NFL career, he still has starting experience as well as a Super Bowl ring. Flacco has been around the block and carts an impressive resume — 2013 Super Bowl MVP, no less.
But, his 2023 Comeback Player of the Year season in Cleveland may have convinced the Browns that he still has a lot left in the tank. At 40, it’s easy for them to look at the likes of Gabriel and Sanders and want to pivot.
Recent updates this summer indicate that Sanders is getting to practice all by himself while the other three quarterbacks (minus Watson) are rotating on the main field. While this could mean numerous things, the major point is that Sanders is getting continuous reps while the other guys have been forced to share and split time evenly.
Shedeur Sanders was the most efficient QB in camp, finishing the five media-open practices:
🔸41/53 PASSING
🔸 77.3 COMPLETION %
🔸 9 TDS
🔸 1 INT* pic.twitter.com/2KTjaed0HY— STAMPEDE (@stampedeftbl) June 13, 2025
Cabot spoke on Sanders getting first team reps, saying: “When he’s ready for more, he’ll get more. But I think it’s very significant right now that they’re throwing first teamers at Dillon. Dillon is playing with the first team offense against the first team defense. I mean, those are choice quality reps that he’s getting.”
With plenty of time before the 2025 season, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the Browns’ No. 94 pick is getting more reps than the team’s No. 144 selection. Sanders was projected to be a first-round selection, so the Browns picking him up in the fifth allowed them a future trade piece. Not only that, but the team can see how he handles being a backup, as it also increases competition, which makes everyone better.
Labbe added further analysis on the practice splits (via Cleveland.com), saying: “Despite Kevin (Stefanski)’s protesting, it continues to look exactly like it has all spring where there are times where Shedeur Sanders is by himself and Dillon Gabriel is with the two veterans. When they do go to teamwork, Dillon Gabriel is the one who works with the first team. Shedeur Sanders continues to work down the depth chart.”
Watson remains on this Browns roster, but his time in Cleveland has been disastrous. They are stuck with his massive contract through 2026, as no team would be crazy enough to take that cap hit. The Browns’ preseason games will be very telling as to who will start the season at quarterback, a position that remains wide open.