The conversation regarding the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns is one of the more exciting discussions before training camp. The team drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft while taking Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. That is already with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the roster as the Browns look to fill the starting spot with Deshaun Watson recovering from his Achilles injury.
While coach Kevin Stefanski and the rest of the Browns’ decision-makers are going to have to decide on who will be under center in Week 1, one former NFL quarterback has narrowed down who should be the starting quarterback when the regular season kicks off.
Dan Orlovsky Wants the Cleveland Browns To Start a Rookie QB in 2025
The Browns are in a weird position as they have started 40 different quarterbacks since returning to the NFL in 1999, but they have failed to find someone who can lead the franchise. With the 2025 NFL Draft, the team took two swings at finding that star to help elevate the franchise.
ESPN NFL analyst and 12-year NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on May 13 and discussed how he wants to see one of the two rookie quarterbacks start the season rather than either Flacco or Pickett.
“If I was the Browns, I would do everything that I can do to start Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. … I would start one of those two rookies to figure out what their quarterback situation looks like long term,” Orlovsky said.
"If I was the Browns I would do everything that I can to start Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders..
I would start one of those two rookies to figure out what their Quarterback situation looks like long term" ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/TN8ssmIerR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow)
The Browns finished last season with the worst Offense+ grade in the NFL at 56.0 and received one of two F grades in the sport (New York Giants). Now, the team is going to be looking at the future, and they have their pick between Gabriel and Sanders.
Sanders was the more hyped prospect as he won the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, completing 353 of 477 (74.0%) passes for 4,134 yards with 37 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 71.8% completion percentage at the FBS level over the previous two seasons is the highest in FBS history.
Gabriel won the 2024 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and the six-year college quarterback finished completing 326 of 447 (72.9%) passes for 3,857 yards with 30 passing touchdowns and six interceptions en route to third place in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting. His 155 career touchdown passes are also the highest in FBS history.
Either way, Cleveland has some young blood in the organization, and it appears that whichever one of them wins the quarterback battle should be the one getting the Week 1 start.