The quarterback competition in Cleveland remains intense, with the Browns still undecided on a starter heading into the season. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and fan favorite Shedeur Sanders are all vying for the job.
On another busy day at training camp, Sanders received extended reps and made the most of his opportunity, catching the attention of both fans and analysts. Here’s a look at how each quarterback performed and where the battle stands.
Shedeur Sanders Gets First Reps Against the Starting Defense
Sanders continues to be the most talked-about quarterback in Cleveland. The Browns haven’t named a starter, and all four contenders remain in the mix. However, on Wednesday, July 30, Sanders took a significant step forward by getting his first reps against the starting defense since the start of camp.
The other quarterbacks saw more action with Pickett sidelined by a hamstring injury. According to reports, Flacco went 3-for-7 in team drills, while Sanders completed 6 of 10 passes. Gabriel finished 6-for-11 and was the only quarterback to throw a touchdown.
Day 7 of Browns training camp is a wrap. Here’s how all 3 QBs performed in team drills today.
Shedeur Sanders took snaps against the 1st team defense for the first time in camp. pic.twitter.com/WEiZWnxF5N
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 30, 2025
Sanders showed a strong command of the offense and a growing feel for the defense. On one notable play, he threw slightly behind his receiver, possibly to avoid a defender closing in, suggesting smart situational awareness and ball placement to prevent a turnover or injury.
It’s important to note that this stage of training camp has different goals, and stats must be viewed in context. A low completion percentage doesn’t always indicate a poor showing, just as high numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Some drills are designed for quarterbacks to push their limits, forcing passes into tight windows or testing their reads against different coverages. The goal is not to be perfect, but to learn what each player can handle under varying conditions.
Here are all of Shedeur Sanders’ throws against the 1st team defense today 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/4y77on2qEh
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 30, 2025
The Browns have yet to signal who their frontrunner is, but Sanders’ chance against the starters could shift the coaching staff’s evaluation. With preseason games kicking off next week, starting with the Browns’ opener against the Carolina Panthers, fans will soon get a clearer sense of how Sanders fits into the offensive system.
Some analysts have voiced concern about Sanders’ usage. Louis Riddick recently noted that if the Browns aren’t giving him meaningful reps now, it could suggest limited preseason opportunities or that he’ll be underprepared when those moments arrive.
As training camp continues, the question is whether Sanders’ performance against the top defense earned him more time with the starters, or if he’ll still be forced to prove himself primarily against backups.
