Browns Narrow Quarterback Race to Pickett and Gabriel as Sanders Faces Uphill Battle

With NFL training camps just around the corner, former wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh shared his insights on the Cleveland Browns’ ongoing quarterback competition. The Browns have an unusually crowded quarterback room following the additions of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders through the draft, joining veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. The question of who will start remains unanswered, creating a buzz among fans and analysts alike.

Internal Evaluations Favor Pickett and Gabriel as Sanders Faces Contextual Performance Questions

Houshmandzadeh revealed that, according to a non-player source inside the Browns organization, the battle appears to be narrowing down to Gabriel and Pickett. “It’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” he stated on the podcast Nightcap. While this may surprise some observers, Houshmandzadeh hinted that internal evaluations are weighing more heavily than public perception or preseason statistics.

Though Shedeur Sanders impressed in recent practices by completing seven of nine passes, Houshmandzadeh questioned the context of his performance. He pointed out that these numbers may be inflated if they were achieved against lower-tier defenders rather than the starting unit.

This skepticism underscores the challenges rookies face in proving themselves beyond just practice stats, particularly when competing against more experienced quarterbacks.

Veterans and Rookies Vie for Starting Role as Browns Face Uncertain Quarterback Future

Joe Flacco’s past success with the Browns gives him credibility, but at 39 years old, he may not be viewed as a long-term solution. Kenny Pickett, once a starter for the Steelers, had a quiet year backing up in Philadelphia. Despite his setbacks, he remains in serious contention for the starting job, possibly due to his previous starting experience and the lack of a firmly established leader among the group.

Dillon Gabriel, known for his college exploits, brings strong potential, while Sanders, though talented, already faces legal issues in Cleveland that may hinder his prospects. With so much still unsettled, the Browns’ quarterback decision will likely continue to develop through training camp and the preseason. All eyes will be on Cleveland as they prepare for their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.