The Cleveland Browns might have overcorrected in their ambition to fix the mistake they made in parting ways with Baker Mayfield and trading heaven and earth for Deshaun Watson.
Following a free agency where they signed Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, general manager Andrew Berry selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.
The Browns enter OTAs with five quarterbacks on their roster, but Watson won’t participate as he recovers from an Achilles injury he suffered last season. Still, the situation in Cleveland is quite bizarre, as four potential starters (and two inexperienced rookies) will split reps this spring and possibly in training camp.
The Cleveland Browns have a head-scratcher this offseason
ESPN had several writers suggest the Browns’ decision on Sanders and Gabriel was a draft head-scratcher. Kalyn Kahler reported that scouts and NFL execs don’t understand the move.
“Quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel (No. 94) and Shedeur Sanders (No. 144) to the Browns,” Kahler wrote. “Several scouts and executives I spoke to really started scratching their heads with the Gabriel pick, but the Browns also taking Sanders made even less sense.
“Neither quarterback has prototypical size for the position, and I’m not seeing the plan on how these two will split reps with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in camp.”
The Browns aren’t likely to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster for Week 1. Given each quarterback’s potential upside, they would likely be claimed on waivers before Cleveland can add them to the practice squad. The Browns will probably try to trade someone.
But who?
Shedeur Sanders vs. Dillon Gabriel in a busy QB room
Jason Reid wrote that the stacked QB competition will make it hard for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff to evaluate Sanders and Gabriel.
“Gabriel/Sanders to the Browns,” wrote Reid of the head-scratching move of the 2025 draft. “Two developmental rookie QBs with Flacco and Pickett under contract? In camp and the preseason, how will Gabriel and Sanders get enough reps to adjust to the NFL and prove they deserve roster spots? I don’t get it.”
Cleveland is hoping Grabiel or Sanders hit quickly in workouts this offseason. The pick to take Sanders in the fifth round doesn’t seem too confusing. He was expected to be a first-round pick before the draft. Getting him on Day 3 seems like a safe pick.
Gabriel is where things get complicated. Sanders and Gabriel need a chance to gain extra reps at OTAs so they can develop in the league. The Browns are diluting the quarterback position by having both.
But no one has said Cleveland has a history of making wise positions at the position.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
