No positional battle will be as intense in the preseason as the one for the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback job. The team brought in four quarterbacks this offseason to deal with Deshaun Watson’s injury, and all of them have a chance to win the job.
Between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, how should the Browns’ depth chart look for the season? Let’s analyze the most likely scenario and the possibilities for each one.
Who Will Be the Cleveland Browns’ Starter at Quarterback?
For years, the Browns have been searching for the quarterback who will take over the franchise and lead it to compete for titles, but year after year, failure remains, even with names that at some point seemed like the solution. First with Baker Mayfield, selected with the first overall pick in 2018, who had one good year but then declined and was traded.
Then, the arrival of Deshaun Watson seemed like a solution with someone more established in the league. However, many believe he was never the same after his off-field controversies, the suspension imposed by the NFL and a series of injuries. His most recent setback came when he re-aggravated his Achilles.
That leads us to the 2025 scenario, where the franchise brought in four new quarterbacks who together should at least establish a floor for this season and a direction for the years ahead. Currently with two veterans and two rookies, the situation is uncertain, but we can predict how the group will be divided for the season.
Breaking Down the Browns’ Quarterback Room
Joe Flacco
Flacco’s name stands out as the favorite to take the starting job in 2025. He worked with this coaching staff in 2023, leading the team to the playoffs and earning Comeback Player of the Year honors. Despite low expectations, he posted a 4-2 record, including a playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
“I think it would be an upset if Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett were not the Browns opening day starting QB” – @AdamSchefter via @UnSportsESPN
Schefter does not rule out Shedeur Sanders playing well in camp and taking over early in the season 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/yhkHRTQ6ph
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 17, 2025
With 17 years of NFL experience, he provides a production floor for the offense in a division that features three rivals who, on paper, have stronger rosters, and in a conference that doesn’t forgive poorly built teams. Flacco could be the short-term solution for this season while the team develops young talent and considers reshaping the roster in 2026 with two first round picks in the Draft.
Kenny Pickett
Things get more complicated with Pickett for a few reasons. The franchise brought him in before any other quarterback this offseason, trading a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft plus quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles. He brings experience and just came from a roster that won the Super Bowl.
Pickett entered the NFL in 2022 but never established himself with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Expectations were high since he was the only quarterback selected in the first round of that draft, but with limited production and an injury that cost him his starting job, he eventually landed with the Eagles as a backup. He now offers another veteran presence in the locker room, though with less experience than Flacco.
The big question surrounding Pickett is whether the Browns will carry two veterans into the season. If they do, one rookie will likely be inactive on game days as an emergency quarterback. The other could end up on the practice squad, which carries the risk of being poached by another team. However, since Pickett was acquired via trade, his spot may be more secure than the others, at least for now.
Dillon Gabriel
Everyone was surprised when the Browns were on the clock in the draft and selected a quarterback in the third round that wasn’t Sanders. Instead, they picked Dillon Gabriel. The Oregon quarterback was widely projected to be a Day 2 pick to serve as a backup, but no one expected him to be taken before Sanders.
Gabriel brings some interesting traits, showing good poise on the field and physical tools that allow him to operate beyond just the pocket. However, his height is a concern. He needs time to develop and might never have a high ceiling in the NFL, potentially being limited to a backup role. What could secure his spot on the roster is exactly the round in which he was drafted.
Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco recreate teammates’ Media Day photo 😂
(via: @Browns) pic.twitter.com/qFxbsEGGiq
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) June 10, 2025
It’s hard to imagine Cleveland would give up on a third-round pick that easily. There was a reason why he was selected before his teammate, and the coaching staff seems pleased with what they’ve seen from him in camp so far.
Shedeur Sanders
Finally, Sanders is the quarterback with the most hype but also the least draft pedigree. As the second quarterback selected by the team and only in the fifth round, he finds himself in the toughest position within the QB room, facing the longest climb to the top. Despite performing well in practice, he has not emerged as the favorite for the starting job so far.
Sanders seems to have been a low-risk investment for an opportunity that was worth taking at that stage of the draft. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the quarterback ends up being traded to another team after the preseason if he fails to secure the starting job. Stashing him on the practice squad or keeping him inactive may not be the smartest move if the Browns want to capitalize on his name value.
Even though fans are eager to see Sanders on the field, this competition will be one of the most intense of the preseason and will inevitably force a tough decision from the coaching staff. The Browns will open the season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 7, and all signs point to Flacco taking the first snap as the starter.
