The Cleveland Browns are witnessing one of the most closely watched quarterback battles in recent decades as four players vie for the starting position during the 2025 training camp. This intense competition involves established and rookie QBs, and daily team drills serve as the testing ground to evaluate their performances. Among them, Shedeur Sanders has caught attention with his strong showing compared to Kenny Pickett and other contenders.
Shedeur Sanders’ Standout Performance Against Rivals
On the fourth day of team drills, Shedeur Sanders demonstrated impressive accuracy and scoring ability, completing eight of 11 passes and throwing three touchdowns. In comparison, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel combined for 18 completions on 33 attempts with three touchdown passes between them. Sanders’ efficiency in these sessions has sparked conversation, especially since he has been taking snaps primarily with the third team, while Gabriel has played with the second team and Pickett and Flacco have mostly been with the first team.
Day 4 of Browns training camp is in the books. Big day for the offense. Here’s how all 4 QBs performed in team drills. pic.twitter.com/xuxcmD5LYW
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 26, 2025
The Browns are heavily focused on passing drills in the early stages of camp, reflecting their need to evaluate quarterback talent before finalizing the starter for the 2025 season. Sanders’ performance indicates he could be more than just a developmental player in the quarterback competition.
Context of the Browns’ Quarterback Situation and Strategic Outlook
Despite Shedeur Sanders’ encouraging outings, the Browns’ quarterback landscape remains complex. Deshaun Watson, under contract through 2026, is anticipated to miss the entire 2025 season due to a torn Achilles. To maintain stability, Cleveland has kept Joe Flacco, a veteran presence, and acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade as a potential starter while also drafting rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to groom for the future.
The 2025 season is a pivotal moment, as the Browns hold two first-round picks in the 2026 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL Draft, which is projected to include several promising quarterbacks. Should one of the current competitors—Pickett, Sanders, or Gabriel—prove capable of leading the team, the franchise could shift its 2026 draft focus to other positions. Analysts and observers have debated whether the Browns should give starting opportunities to younger players like Gabriel or Sanders to identify a franchise quarterback without delay.
With a projected 4.5-win season in 2025, Cleveland could position itself to select top quarterback prospects such as Drew Allar from Penn State, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, Cade Klubnik from Clemson, or Arch Manning from Texas in the 2026 draft, depending on their declarations. While this potential future weighs heavily on the team’s draft strategy, the immediate challenge is deciding who will be the starting quarterback this season.
Implications for the Browns Moving Forward
The quarterback contest in Cleveland remains uncertain and filled with tension, as each candidate aims to prove readiness for leading the offense. Shedeur Sanders’ strong showing on Day 4 has added a new layer to the evaluation process, complicating the coaching staff’s decision. As the Browns navigate this crucial offseason period, the outcome will significantly influence their approach to both the 2025 season and the 2026 NFL Draft.
Over the coming weeks, the Browns will continue to assess these quarterbacks in practice and preseason games, balancing the need for immediate stability with long-term potential. The team’s final choice could determine the franchise’s direction and set the stage for the next era in Cleveland football.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is the Kenny Pickett rule?
A. The “Kenny Pickett Rule” has been approved. If a player pretends to slide feet-first, they will be marked down at that spot. This rule is named after Kenny Pickett, who, during the 2021 ACC Championship Game against Wake Forest, pretended to slide and then ran 58 yards for a touchdown.