After an unexpected drop to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has found himself under intense scrutiny as he begins his NFL journey with the Cleveland Browns.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Sanders’ debut, it was third-round pick Dillon Gabriel who took the first few snaps during rookie minicamp, catching many by surprise. This sparked speculation about the quarterback hierarchy in Cleveland, especially given Sanders’ high-profile college career and the public attention following his draft slide.
Stefanski Urges Patience, Highlights Long-Term Evaluation Process for Rookie Quarterbacks’ Development
Head coach Kevin Stefanski quickly addressed the media speculation, urging observers not to read too much into who got the initial reps. He emphasized that the quarterback competition is far from settled and will be judged through a comprehensive evaluation process over the coming months.
Stefanski made it clear that the team is focused on the long-term development of its rookies and that depth chart positioning at this early stage doesn’t carry lasting implications.
Shedeur Sanders (NFL)Both Sanders and Gabriel participated in their first NFL practice sessions on Friday, showcasing their skills in a series of individual, 11-on-11, and 7-on-7 drills. According to Stefanski, the two quarterbacks performed as expected and showed promise, although he noted the need for improvement in various technical aspects.
He highlighted the complexity of the quarterback position and reiterated the importance of these early sessions in preparing the rookies for full integration with the veteran squad.
Rookies Face Tough Competition in Deep Browns Quarterback Room Ahead of 2025 Season
Gabriel and Sanders enter a Browns quarterback room already filled with experienced players, including Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. While Flacco and Pickett are active in the team’s offseason program, Watson is still recovering from a significant Achilles injury and is expected to miss most of the upcoming season.
This opens up a window of opportunity for the rookies to prove themselves in a competitive environment, though they face stiff competition from established NFL veterans.
When questioned about who might lead first-team reps in upcoming OTAs, Stefanski avoided naming a front-runner, instead reiterating that the coaching staff will continue to assess all quarterbacks closely.
He stressed that there is ample time before the season starts in September, and the team intends to use every available rep to make informed decisions. The coaching staff’s patient and thorough approach indicates that the starting quarterback role remains wide open as preparations for the 2025 season continue.
