The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback battle is arguably the biggest story going on in the NFL. The team has four healthy signal-callers competing at organized team activities (OTAs), highlighted by fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders has been under the microscope since arriving in Cleveland and is perhaps the most-watched fifth-round quarterback in recent memory. However, following the latest round of OTA practice, it appears he could be the fourth QB in the pecking order behind Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco.
Shedeur Sanders QB4 For Cleveland Browns?
Sanders endured arguably the most precipitous fall in NFL Draft history after balling out in his final college season at Colorado. He threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns last season but dropped to the fifth round because of how he and his team handled the pre-draft process.
The Colorado product has been working as QB4 through Cleveland’s OTAs and was held out of 11-on-11 drills that were open to the media last week. During the second practice session open to the media, Sanders was notably the only quarterback not to take any reps with the first team, sparking further speculations about whether he was deemed QB4 by the Browns.
“Browns OTA practice just ended. It was a strong day for Shedeur Sanders, who notably was the only QB not to take reps with the first-team offense today,” ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reported. “Head coach Kevin Stefanski has downplayed the practice order and first-team reps, but we’ll see if that changes during mandatory minicamp next week.”
However, Sanders isn’t affected much by the noise surrounding his position on the depth chart and continues to showcase why he was once considered a first-round pick. He yet again appeared to be the better of the four quarterbacks if the OTA stats are to be believed, completing 9 of 14 passes for three touchdowns and an interception. Sanders had the highest completion percentage and tied for most TDs, which is even more impressive since he was throwing to backups.
The highlight of the Sanders’ practice session was an impressive throw to receiver Kaden Davis, with Joe Reedy of the Associated Press, who was at practice, calling it “the best throw of the day.”
Shedeur ➡️ Kaden Davis ➡️ TD pic.twitter.com/ysXwRT54Zr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 4, 2025
However, the narrative that Sanders has performed the best of the four quarterbacks could change as we get closer to preseason and he takes full team snaps in front of the media. There’s still a lot of time before Stefanski and the Browns have to make a starting quarterback decision, and while Sanders faces challenges, he is certainly on an upward trajectory on the depth chart.
