Cleveland Browns’ Quarterback Situation for 2025

Dillongabriel will step into the role of backup quarterback for the Browns as they face the Bengals in their season opener on September 7th. He is set to be the third-string quarterback behind Chedure Sanders, who was selected fifth overall in April.

This decision was shared by head coach Kevin Stefanski on Tuesday afternoon, indicating that Sanders will be available as the emergency quarterback.

After extensive deliberation throughout the camp and preseason, the quarterback picture for the Browns has become clearer.

In their preseason appearances, both Gabriel, a third-round draft pick for 2025, and Sanders took the field.

Stefanski commented, “This is a very comprehensive assessment. Everything I did during the game mattered. There were many players here, and I observed their skills closely. He’s certainly someone who I think is improving.”

Gabriel wrapped up the preseason with 272 passing yards and a touchdown, completing 25 of 37 attempts. Meanwhile, Sanders achieved 152 yards and two touchdowns, completing 17 of 29 passes.

Both players spent most of training camp as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Initially, the Browns had five quarterbacks in camp, but the situation became more straightforward after Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders and Tyler Huntley was released.

Last week, Joe Flacco was named the starting quarterback, leaving Gabriel and Sanders vying for the backup position.

Sanders has been under observation since the NFL Draft, where he was originally projected to go in the first round but ultimately fell to the fifth round. His pre-draft process is thought to have impacted his draft status.