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The Cleveland Browns face one of the most intriguing quarterback dilemmas in the NFL heading into the 2025 season.
While rookie Shedeur Sanders arrived with plenty of attention following his selection in the fifth round, his spot on the final 53-man roster is far from guaranteed-and he might not even be in Cleveland by Week 1.
Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed that league insiders believe a quarterback trade involving Cleveland is a real possibility before the start of the regular season.
"They're going to keep four quarterbacks throughout the offseason leading into training camp," Fowler said. "So, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders will have plenty of opportunities to make their impression and try to make the team.
"That's really their first goal. They have to do that because the Browns are probably going to keep at a max three quarterbacks. Somebody is going to be the odd man out."
While Sanders impressed in his early work with the team-particularly in rookie minicamp, where he demonstrated the accuracy and decision-making Cleveland valued during the pre-draft process-he's part of a crowded QB room that could force the team to make a tough call.
Browns' QB depth sparks speculation of preseason trade
The Browns currently have five quarterbacks under contract: Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
Watson remains the franchise's long-term starter, but after re-tearing his Achilles in January, his availability for the start of the season remains in question.
Flacco, who led the Browns to the playoffs last year, is reportedly in "pole position" to start if Watson isn't ready. Albert Breer of The MMQB confirmed this on The Rich Eisen Show, citing Flacco's experience and leadership as key factors.
That leaves Gabriel, Sanders, and Pickett competing for backup roles. Gabriel, a third-round pick at No. 94 overall, appears to be firmly in the team's plans.
"They're really high on Gabriel," Fowler noted. "They essentially over drafted him in the third round just to make sure that they got him.
"I was told that the Browns are really surprised that the media never picked up pre-draft very much on how high they were on Gabriel."
Given that Cleveland invested significant capital in Gabriel and reportedly prioritized him during the pre-draft process-including private workouts and a top-30 visit-it's likely he makes the roster. That puts Sanders and Pickett in direct competition for what may be the final quarterback slot.
Pickett, a former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Steelers traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles after bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, indicating they'd moved on. If Cleveland cuts or trades him, they would save $2.6 million in cap space.
Sanders, on the other hand, has yet to sign his rookie deal, though it's expected to be worth around $4.65 million over four years.
Despite his Day 3 draft status, Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department had him graded as a first-round talent before the draft.
"Sanders has been as d as far as what the Browns liked in the pre-draft process-accuracy, decision-making. They want to see him build on that," Fowler added.
With five quarterbacks competing for what's likely three spots, the Browns could look to move one of them via trade, particularly if a player shines in preseason action and draws interest from around the league.
"Talking to people around the league they wouldn't be surprised if the Browns try to swing a trade eventually with one of these four quarterbacks because they look at that position as currency, as value," Fowler explained.
"So, somebody plays well in the preseason, maybe they'll be in a new uniform."
For now, all eyes are on Cleveland's quarterback room as training camp nears.
The roster crunch, combined with the uncertainty around Watson's health, means the Browns' QB decisions will be closely monitored-and one of their ers, possibly even Sanders, could be wearing different colors come September.