Through free agents, trade and the NFL draft, the Browns added several QBs to their roster during the offseason. In a deal with the Hawks, the Browns acquired QB Kenny Pickett. In addition, Cleveland signed veteran Joe Flacco to reach a one-year, $4 million deal.
In the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns chose QB Dillon Gabriel to leave Oregon. Then in the fifth round, Cleveland chose Colorado’s QB Shedeur Sanders. Despite being ranked fourth in Brown’s depth chart, Sanders had a great chance on Friday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that Sheduer Sanders will start the preseason with the Panthers.
Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start against Carolina on Friday night
Another step is taken: Neither Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett nor Dillon Gabriel will compete. Most of the snapshots will be used for Shedeur Sanders, followed by former Pro Bowl QB Tyler’Snoop’Huntley.
– Ari Meirov (@mysportsupdate) August 6, 2025
Analysts predict that Sheduer Sanders will be selected in the first round before the 2025 NFL Draft. However, only two QBs were selected in the first 32 draft picks. Surprisingly, Sanders fell to the fifth round and was selected by the Browns. Cleveland is an interesting choice, and Cleveland just chose Dillon Gabriel in the third round. In Cleveland’s initial depth map, Shedeur Sanders is listed as the fourth string QB.
However, Sanders was recently named the Browns’ starting QB for the preseason opening game. Joe Flacco, 40, is an unquestioned veteran and starter in Cleveland. Both Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel care for hamstring injuries. If there is no reason to play Flacco on Friday night, the Browns will give Shedeur Sanders a huge chance.
Shedeur Sanders will begin on Friday at quarterback against the Panthers pic.twitter.com/dbyoaz9f1w
— Cleveland Brown (@browns) August 6, 2025
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Sanders will win most of the representatives for the Browns. If the rookie performs well, that may put him on the depth chart. The newly signed QB Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will also be on the Browns’ action against the Panthers on Friday. The Browns began joint practice with Carolina on Wednesday.
While it is not uncommon for the team to keep four QBs in a 53-man roster, GM Andrew Berry is not against the idea. Joe Flacco is probably the Browns’ one-year rent, and they have two rookie QBs. This is a rare situation that benefits the four QBs from Brown. Two of the four QBs can find a way to get into the practice team. If Sheduer Sanders impressed his coach on Friday, maybe he had a chance to be the second string QB of 2025.
