Steelers LS Christian Kuntz roasts Browns in hilarious fashion
The bad blood between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers runs deep — apparently long snapper deep, as Christian Kuntz roasted the Steel City's AFC North rivals in hilarious fashion.
On the most recent episode of The Christian Kuntz Podcast, which was a re-airing of their live draft special, the Steelers long snapper kicked off their show with a Browns-sized bang — telling whoever is in charge of the audio to mute Cleveland's pick:
"The Browns are clock — everybody, let's cut the audio on the draft. No one wants to hear from the Browns. They traded [their pick] anyway. We had these plans to cut this audio cause no one wants to hear that garbage.'
While the Steelers have gotten the better of the Browns over the past two decades, the rivalry has gotten red hot as of late — fueled by Myles Garrett's DPOY feud with T.J. Watt, George Pickens altercation with Greg Newsome II, and Cleveland's recent acquisitions of former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett and WR Diontae Johnson.
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Quinshon Judkins unsigned amid legal issues as Browns rookies report for training camp
BEREA — The Browns rookies and some select injured players reported to Berea on July 18 for the start of training camp. That group, however, did not include second-round pick Quinshon Judkins. Judkins, the former Ohio State and Ole Miss running back taken with the No. 36 overall pick in April's draft, remained the only draft pick unsigned by the Browns. However, both the player and the team, sources confirmed, were putting that on the back burner as he focused on his legal troubles in South Florida. Judkins was arrested on July 12 in Fort Lauderdale on a charge of "touch or strike/battery/domestic violence." The arrest stems from an incident on July 7 when the woman with whom he was traveling told police he "punched her in the mouth/chin area with a closed fist" and later punched her on her left arm and leg while in the back seat of their rental car. The 21-year-old Judkins was released on a $2,500 bond on July 13 after appearing in Broward County Traffic and Misdemeanor Court. His next court appearance remains to be scheduled. Beyond what's going on in the courts, Judkins has the NFL's own disciplinary process awaiting. A personal conduct policy investigation certainly awaits, with a six-game suspension the standard for a player's first domestic violence violation. Both the Browns and the NFL, through spokesmen, have only addressed the situation by saying they were "aware and gathering more information." NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could also place Judkins on the Commissioners Exempt list, although that wouldn't likely happen until after he signs a contract. Browns' 2024 second-round pick Mike Hall Jr. was placed on that list last August after roster cuts for his own domestic violence arrest in Avon. Hall, while on the exempt list, was unable to practice or play with the team, but was able to attend meetings. He ended up with a five-game suspension — four of those served while he was on the exempt list — after he pleaded the charge down to disorderly conduct. Another Browns player, veteran linebacker Devin Bush Jr., could also be facing a similar fate. Bush was in a Allegheny County, Pa., courtroom on July 18 for a formal arraignment stemming from a May 4 arrest for simple assault and harassment, at which time a pre-trial conference was scheduled for Aug. 15. While rookies and quarterbacks reported July 18, the rest of the veterans will report July 22. The Browns will hold their first full-squad practice on July 23. The July 12 arrest pushed Judkins' contract situation to the back burner. He is the only one of the Browns' seven draft picks not signed, as the other six were all under contract by June 4. Judkins is one of 18 second-round draft picks, as of the morning of July 18, who remained unsigned. Los Angeles Chargers second-round pick Tre Harris, the No. 55 overall pick (the 23rd pick in the second round) and Judkins' former Ole Miss teammate in 2023, was the first one to not be signed by the time he was supposed to report with the rest of the Chargers rookies on July 12. Harris was among a large group of second-round picks who signed contracts on July 17. That came a day after San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins, the No. 43 overall pick, became only the third second-round pick to sign on July 16. The only two second-round picks signed before Collins were UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, taken by the Browns with the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall) and Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins, taken by the Houston Texans with the second pick in the round (No. 34 overall). The Texans gave Higgins a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $11,700,824 on May 8, a day before the Browns gave a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $11,800,400 to Schwesinger. The rookie wage scale established by the CBA had made the signing of most draft pick a matter of routine. The fully guaranteed deals handed to Schwesinger and Higgins, which ran counter to what had previously occurred, created a massive negotiation stalemates for the other 30 second-round picks. The only draft pick other than the remaining second-round picks who remains unsigned is Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart (No. 17 overall pick). Draft picks who are not signed are not subject to the fines, per the collective bargaining agreement, for missing training camp days. Judkins was selected three picks after Schwesinger and two after Higgins. The pick used for Judkins, No. 36 overall, was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the same deal that sent the No. 2 overall pick to Jacksonville and brought back the No. 5 overall pick this season along with a 2026 first-round pick. The Browns used the No. 5 pick to select University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who signed his fully guaranteed four-year, $40,874,192 deal on May 27. The Jaguars used the No. 2 pick to select University of Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. The same day the Browns signed Schwesinger, they also signed University of Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, the No. 126 overall pick in the fourth round, to a four-year, $5,130,564 — $930,564 guaranteed — deal. The third pick to sign was Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr., the No. 67 overall pick in the third round, who received a four-year, $6,742,886 ($1,543,916 guaranteed) deal on May 17. University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the No 144 overall pick in the fifth round, signed a four-year, $4,647,380 ($447,380 guaranteed) deal on May 19. Gabriel, the No. 94 overall pick in the third round, signed his four-year, $6,226,322 ($1,168,232 guaranteed) deal on June 4. Sampson now has more falling on him as a rookie with Judkins going through his legal troubles. The two rookies, along with returnees Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., were central pieces of the Browns' decision to move on from franchise icon Nick Chubb, who signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans in June. Under new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, the Browns are going back to the wide-zone run scheme that was central to coach Kevin Stefanski's offense in his first several years as Browns head coach. Judkins was expected to provide more of the physicality in the running back rotation, while Sampson and/or Ford provide more of the speed. There's a distinct possibility the Browns will go out and sign a free-agent running back to join Sampson, Ford, Strong, undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall and fullback Troy Hairston. The list of free-agent veteran running backs, according to still available is highlighted by several former Browns running backs — D'Ernest Johnson, D'Onta Foreman, John Kelly, Nyheim Hines — as well as "name" 30-somethings like Gus Edwards, Ameer Abdullah, Jamaal Williams and Jeff Wilson. Judkins started his college career in 2022 at Ole Miss, and was one of the top rushers in the SEC both seasons in Oxford. He transferred to Ohio State in 2024, rushing for 1,060 yards (5.5 average) with 14 touchdowns while helping the Buckeyes win the national championship. Over his three-year college career, Judkins rushed for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns. He played in 42 career games with 27 starts. Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned as Browns rookie report for camp
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Cleveland Browns training camp Day 3: Live updates, injuries, news from 1st open practice
BEREA — The fans will get their first look at the 2025 Cleveland Browns on July 25. After two days of full-squad training camp practices, the Browns will have their first one open to the fans. The team is scheduled to take the field at 2 p.m. The open practice is one of eight the Browns will have in training camp. It's the first of back-to-back days with open practices as well. Follow along here for news, notes and comments to emerge from Day 3 of Cleveland Browns training camp. Jerome Baker recalls first Browns jersey: Johnny Manziel Linebacker Jerome Baker is getting a chance to return to his hometown to play. The Browns signed the Cleveland native and Benedictine High School and Ohio State product in March. The 28-year-old Baker was asked Friday if he had a favorite player while he was growing up in Cleveland. "I'm not gonna say I have a favorite," Baker said. "It's funny. So when Johnny Manziel was here, he was probably the first jersey I ever bought and I had, so shout out to him." Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick who flamed out after two seasons, would've arrived in Cleveland as Baker was going into his senior year at Benedictine. At that time, Manziel Mania was sweeping the Browns' fanbase. Of course, Baker is much like most Browns fans of the current era. He owns the jersey of a failed quarterback "Yeah. I wouldn't say failed," Baker said. "I would just say it just didn't work out. Yeah, I definitely still got that jersey." Wide receiver Cedric Tillman leaves practice with injury Wide receiver Cedric Tillman was shaken up on the final play of a modified seven-on-seven red-zone period. After an incomplete pass thrown to him near the goal post, he remained down for a bit with trainers looking at his lower left leg. Tillman eventually walked off the field with a member of the training staff and went to the locker room. There was no official word immediately after practice on the nature of the injury. Kevin Stefanski recognizes Lorain community after shooting of police officers Browns coach Kevin Stefanski took a moment at the start of his pre-practice availability Friday to express his feelings on the ambush of three Lorain police officers — Officers Phillip Wagner, Peter Gale and Brent Payne — which took place on July 23. Wagner died from his wounds on July 24. "I just want to acknowledge the people in Lorain, in our community that are hurting," Stefanski said. "Some senseless violence against our police officers. Officer Phillip Wagner, who lost his life in this. Two officers were injured, Officer Peter Gale, Brent Payne. We are thinking about the community in Lorain. We're thinking about everybody in law enforcement that keeps us safe. It's tough, tough news and I know they're going through it and I just want them to know we're thinking of them as they go through this. They're certainly in our thoughts and prayers. I just want to make sure that we acknowledge that before we get started." Running back Jerome Ford 'close' to return to practice Running back Jerome Ford remains sidelined with a "minor" injury. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the running back wasn't not going to practice on July 25, but was "progressing" and was "close" to a return. Ford was seen working with a training on the field a couple of hours before practice. Michael Woods II not back at practice after injury Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II missed the second training camp practice due to a hand injury. However, coach Kevin Stefanski said the 2022 sixth-round pick was possibly going to be back on the field for day 3 on July 25. Turns out, Woods missed his second practice in a row. He was one of three to not be on the field, along with guard Tevan Jenkins and cornerback Tony Brown II. Cleveland Browns sign wide receiver Winston Wright The Browns added another young body to the wide receiver room prior to their third training camp practice. They signed rookie Winston Wright to a contract. Wright, 5-foot-10, 192 pounds, played the last two seasons at East Carolina. He spent time at West Virginia (2019-21), Florida State (2022-23) and East Carolina (2023-24). His college career spanned 49 career games. He recorded 187 receptions for 1,930 yards and 18 touchdowns. Veteran LB Jordan Hicks announces his retirement Veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks announced his retirement after 10 years in the NFL on Instagram on July 25. Hicks, 33, had not been at the Browns' first two days of training camp for reasons that had been listed as "personal." 'After 23 years of playing football, I'm officially retiring from the NFL," Hicks said on Instagram. "Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined. Purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others. But most importantly it showed me who I am outside the game. "I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I'm proud of what I accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I've become because of it. To my teammates, coaches, fans, and most importantly my family.. thank you for your unwavering support throughout this journey. I'm looking forward to this next season of life and all that it brings."I walk away with peace knowing I gave football all I had, and that the best is yet to come. Forever Grateful,Jordan Hicks" The West Chester, Ohio, native who played at Lakota West High School and the University of Texas was originally drafted in the third round of the 2015 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns, with whom he signed a two-year deal in 2024, were his fourth team, along with the Eagles (2015-18), Arizona Cardinals (2019-21) and Minnesota Vikings (2022-23). Hicks' retirement, coupled with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being ruled out for the season due to the neck injury he suffered last season, leaves the Browns' linebacking room extremely thin in experience. They signed Cleveland native and eight-year pro Jerome Baker in March, who joins seven-year pro Devin Bush as the only linebackers on the roster with more than two seasons of experience. Cleveland Browns 2025 training camp practice open to fans The following training camp practices are open to fans, weather permitting: July 25, 2 p.m. July 26, 9:30 a.m. July 28, 2 p.m. July 29, 2 p.m. July 30, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 1, 2 p.m. Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 4, 2 p.m. Gates open one hour before practice time. All fans must have a ticket to attend. Cleveland Browns 2025 preseason games Aug. 8, at Carolina Panthers, 7 p.m., WEWS-TV Channel 5/NFL Network Aug. 16, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m., WEWS-TV Channel 5/NFL Network Aug. 23, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m., WEWS-TV Channel 5/NFL Network Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns training camp Day 3 live updates, news, injuries, quotes, more
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A timeline from Deshaun Watson's injury to training camp
Oct. 20, 2024. That's when the Browns officially began down the road to the quarterback competition that will recommence with the July 23 opening of training camp. There may have been some parts of the organization that unofficially started down the road before that date. However, when Deshaun Watson tore his right Achilles tendon with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter of a Week 7 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns knew there were going to have to be some changes to their quarterback room for the 2025 season. There may have been some hope held out in the moment that 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson could develop in a viable NFL starter. Instead, on March 10, he became a piece in the first move made to reconstruct the room when he was sent along with a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kenny Pickett. Jameis Winston captivated Browns fans on a roller-coaster ride of highs — home wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers — and lows — nine interceptions in his final four starts — but not enough to stick around for a second season in Cleveland. Instead, after being connected to trade rumors for the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins and bringing in free-agent Russell Wilson on March 13, the Browns ultimately brought back Joe Flacco on April 11 to be that veteran. The final pieces came through the draft. They took Oregon's Dillon Gabriel with pick No. 74 in the third round and traded up to pick No. 144 in the fifth round to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. That's the quick, short-hand trip down that road. What follows, though, is a journey through the winding road that led to this point in the words of prominent — and some minor — figures in the process. Nov. 6, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Deshaun Watson's future after initial Achilles injury 'Yeah, I'd say this, our focus again, organizationally, is on making sure that he gets healthy," Berry said at the bye week availability. "Just the reality of it is, with any season-ending injury, there is some uncertainty in terms of the recovery and so our focus is on making sure that he gets healthy and then we can move from there.' Jan. 5, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Either 'Deshaun Watson type' or 'Joe Flacco type' in 2025 QB room? "I don't think of it in those terms necessarily," Stefanski said the day after the Browns' season-ending loss to the Baltimore Ravens. "I think we need to, whatever we look at as an organization, and guys that are available and who we bring back at every position, cause I would love to bring everybody back. It's not possible. Unfortunately they have these roster rules that get in the way, but we'll see how it all shakes out." Jan. 6, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Deshaun Watson has 'setback in his Achilles recovery' "I wouldn't say that it has a significant impact," Berry said at his end-of-season media availability. "I think the reality of it is that room, it will look different next year. It may obviously impact what the room looks like as we enter the season or camp depending on the severity of the setback, but I wouldn't say that it had a significant impact." Jan. 23, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees: QB's most important trait 'At the end of the day, the quarterback's job is to solve problems," Rees said at his introductory news conference. "You're going to be tasked 60, 70, 80 times a game to make a decision in a critical moment. And so I've always started with the ability to make quick decisions and make the right decisions. So if you said one thing over the other, I want a decision maker at that position.' Feb. 25, Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot: Keeping Kirk Cousins, even at a big salary "Yeah, we understand that it's not ideal to have a quarterback at that cap number," Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said at the NFL combine. "Now, when we gave him that contract, the expectation was for him to be the starter at this point. So, that is a good number for a starting quarterback. But now that he's the backup, when we say we're comfortable, we're talking about the total funds allocated to the quarterback position. That's already baked in. And so it was baked in for him as a starter at that point. But now as a backup again, he handled himself well at the end of the season. So, when you look at our team, we're comfortable at this point." Feb. 25, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Veteran QB's impact on draft "It could," Berry said at the NFL combine. "There is some interconnectedness. I'm not going to say that they're completely independent, but you also have heard me say that with the drafts are largely for the longer term decisions, so they could play off one another maybe slightly, but I wouldn't say that the impact would be significant in that regard." Feb. 26, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Coach's role in selecting the QB "We work collaboratively, like you said," Stefanski said at the NFL combine. "This is an organizational decision in all these things, so I'll work very closely with Andrew, with our entire staff in making these decisions." Feb. 28, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders: What could he do for the Cleveland Browns? "Because I've done at two locations already, so it's simple," Sanders said at the NFL combine. "So that's why, when people say I'm not one of the top quarterbacks or the top quarterback, it's what are y'all going based off of? Because I did it year, year after year after year, and you see the progression. So, obviously, it's got to be some type of external hate that you have for the family, for the last name, for anything, because I know I proved myself on the field." March 13, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Concerns about Russell Wilson potentially being brought in to compete? "No, not really," Pickett said on his introductory Zoom call. "I mean, all you want is an opportunity. It doesn't matter who else is in the room. All you can ask for is an opportunity. Then you got to go handle the rest." March 14, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Faith in Andrew Berry to find a QB "Well, I mean just leaning on AB and his expertise and knowing that he has a plan on what this team and this offense will look like going forward, and he's going to put the best offense possible out there," Garrett said at his post-extension availability. "He's going to get a QB that we all continue to have faith in and we're going to go out and do our thing on defense." March 14, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Recruiting Russell Wilson "I think it went well," Garrett said at his post-extension availability. "Him and I had a little bit conversation at the Pro Bowl, as well as here. I definitely think he'd be a valuable asset as a leader, as a mentor to those young guys. Veteran leadership can't be understated, and I think he definitely has some juice left at the position. He has plenty of arm left, he's very smart and he knows what he's capable of. So he'd be a valuable asset." March 30, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Timeline on adding another veteran QB "I wouldn't say that's necessarily the case," Berry said at NFL owners meetings. "I think that we're probably just a bit more narrow in our focus in terms of the type of veteran that we think would fit where we are from a roster perspective where we want that quarterback room to be. I think something could happen before the draft. I think, look, I wouldn't rule it out that it could happen after the draft. I think that's fair as well, but I wouldn't necessarily pin it down to any one timeframe." March 30, Browns GM Andrew Berry: 'Young vs. old' in QB room "It probably depends more on the player than the actual age," Berry said at the NFL owners meetings. "I'd say this, we'll probably skew young just to be quite frank. I think that that's probably more appropriate relative to our longer term goals." March 31, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Are two rookie QBs possible? "No, not opposed," Stefanski said at AFC coaches breakfast at NFL owners meetings. "Again, got to see how this shakes out, this draft shakes out, but I believe I've been on staffs where we've had two rookies." March 31, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: Deshaun Watson trade was 'a big swing and a miss' "Well, I mean, let's address the elephant in the room," Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings. "We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn't, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole." March 31, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: Future QB 'won't be forced' in draft "Yeah, well, you don't know who," Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings. "If you had the No. 1 pick, you could say, OK, we know what we're going to do. When you're No. 2, you don't control your own destiny. I think Andrew told you all last night he did not see us trading up. So it would be great if we could get the quarterback, but we're not going to force it. We're going to be patient, and we're going to try to accumulate as many really good football players as we can." April 1, Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris: Deal would have to be 'good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins' 'There's definitely a human side when you want to see him go out and be the best version of himself,' Falcons coach Raheem Morris said at the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings. 'This is not a thing where we're holding you back if the opportunity presents itself. If it's something that's good for both of us — it's good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins — we certainly would like to see that happen.' April 17, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Joe Flacco signing doesn't impact approach to draft "No, I wouldn't say that that's the case at all," Berry said at his pre-draft availability. "We wouldn't consider signing Joe as having any real impact in terms of how we would view taking a quarterback in the draft. We firmly believe that it's not about picking a player who's ready to contribute now, it's about trying to find the player that you think is going to be the best if you have access to that player. And, look, I think you can think about Patrick Mahomes sat his whole first year. Josh Allen, it really took to year three for him to become Josh Allen. Lamar probably hit the ground running pretty quickly. Jalen Hurts, there were doubts about him until he probably hit year three. So quarterbacks mature and grow at their own pace, and our thought isn't in terms of immediacy but making the next long-term bet." April 23, Browns QB Joe Flacco: 'Exciting' to have a chance to compete for starting job "Yeah, I think it's exciting. I mean, that's all you can ask for in this league," Flacco said during an offseason availability. "I mean, I don't really have any expectations besides to go out there, be myself and kind of put my head down, work hard and kind of just do things the way I know how to. And the exciting part about it this time around is that I get to be a part of the team from the get-go and kind of make those relationships even better than they are. And I think there's a lot of fun in that." April 23, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: 'Whoever's in the room' in Browns' QB competition 'I'd say whoever is in the room is competing for the job," Stefanski said during an offseason availability. "So I guess that's one way to put it. But competition brings out the best in everybody, so we look forward to that.' April 24, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Extra 2026 1st-round pick may be 'tangentially related' to QB class 'I'd say it's maybe tangentially related," Berry said after the first round of the NFL draft. "But even with that, quite frankly, you know, unless we were going to take a quarterback there, it's a trade we probably would have done regardless.' April 25, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Cleveland Browns select Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel at pick No. 94 'Yeah, you know, like I said, we really felt strongly about Dillon throughout this process," Berry said after the third round of the NFL draft. "You know, I think he's a really strong, really, really good prospect. You know, that's not to say that we didn't meet with other quarterbacks that we thought were really talented players and good people. But, we felt strongly about Dillon. We think he's an excellent player and felt like he was the most appropriate player to pick for both.' April 25, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: QB 'just starting out building a true relationship' with Browns 'Yeah, I think, you know, just starting out building a true relationship with them," Gabriel said on a draft-night conference call. "And I think naturally in this process, when you're around them for quite some time, you're able to talk through ball and, you know, get to know one another. And I truly felt like those relationships were built, and I'm so glad I'm a Brown. But, two, you know, I think just excited for what's to come. I know that when we talk ball and have had conversations, this is right where I need to be and it's perfect the way it played out. You know, it's kind of all that administration has done, and now I'm a Brown, so that's all that matters.' April 26, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Browns trade up to pick No. 144 to select Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders 'I just say the biggest thing for us, you know, we live by our board," Berry said after the fifth round of the NFL draft. "We felt like he was a good, solid prospect at the most important position. We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it's a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot. So, I wouldn't say it's any more than that. You know, I think obviously Shedeur has kind of grown up in the spotlight, but our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete. Nothing's been promised. Nothing will be given. So, I may hesitate to characterize it as a blockbuster. That's not necessarily how we thought of the transaction, but we are excited to work with him.' April 26, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Reasons for draft fall 'a non-factor' after being picked "I think what happened was I had a great interview and great process with the Browns and that's why they was able to pick me," Sanders said on a draft-day conference call. "So anything outside the organization is really a non-factor to me now because this is my focus and this is where my mind is is doing everything I can to make this team better. So everything outside of that, it doesn't really, the opinions don't really matter." May 9, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Browns coaches looking at 'total evaluation' of QBs "Yeah, I mean, I think for all coaches, as you can imagine, you put plans together to practice and get the guys ready for a season, but we don't have to put a depth chart out for such a long time," Stefanski said after the first day of rookie minicamp. "So it's not something that we're really focused on. How guys come off the field in terms of who gets the first shot at it, I mean, you may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group. So we vary it throughout. We're not as, we're focused more on the totality of this competition, if you will, at every position, not just the quarterbacks. I told the players last night and we tell them this, we're evaluating everything they do — out on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room. We want to see how they work. So this is a total evaluation. It's not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It's really all about the body of work." May 10, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: Rookie QBs 'can learn from one another' 'Yeah, I love it. I love it because of who it is," Gabriel said after second day of rookie minicamp of fellow rookie QB Sanders. "I think just for us both, you can learn from one another. But also it's not just us two in the room. At least for right now it is. But going into the year, Kenny, Joe, and even Deshaun, just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.' May 10, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Dillon Gabriel a 'real cool guy' "Cool. Normal," Sanders said after the second day of rookie minicamp. "Yeah, it's been normal. He's a real cool guy overall. You could tell, he always has a great mood, he's always in a good mood — I've only been around him two days though — but he always has a great mood. But overall I can tell he is a pretty good person." May 28, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Nothing changes being in a 4-way QB competiton 'I think you just keep every competition the same," Pickett said after the Browns' first open OTA. "You're really just trying to improve daily or, you know, learning a new system, playing with new teammates. It's just a daily process of trying to improve. And, you know, all that stuff will just work itself out.' May 28, Browns QB Joe Flacco: What are QBs being mentors a 'talking point'? 'It's a talking point," Flacco said after the Browns' first open OTA. "You can kind of use it. It's a good question to bait somebody into answering, and no matter how they answer it, it kind of makes the guy that's answering it look bad. If I say I don't want to be a mentor, I look bad. If I say I do want to be a mentor, then I look like an idiot that doesn't care about being good and playing football. So it's one of those questions that no matter what I say, you guys can write what you want to write about it. And there's a lot of questions like that — that's why you end up having to try to avoid them. I tend to try to be honest, and I've said I'm not a mentor. I play football and in a quarterback room, there's a lot of times already, there's been already a ton of times where there's learning experiences and I have a lot of experience and I can talk on things and hopefully they listen. But it's not necessarily my job to make sure they listen to me. And, hey, hopefully you have a really good relationship with the guys that are in the room and you naturally want to do that. That was a long-winded answer, but that's ultimately why I think you guys ask it." June 2, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Handling the 'external noise' in QB competition "Yeah, I think external noise is nothing new in pro sports, and whatever the noise may be, and that's kind of our job," Stefanski said at the Browns' charity golf outing. "That's the fun part for me, is I get to go into work and pull in and close the door and get to work and not focus very much on that. We understand that that exists. We understand that there's a great interest in our sport. That's what keeps us going is our fans' level of interest in our sport. So I completely get that part, but it doesn't factor into our day-to-day. We have a lot of work to do and don't really pay much attention to what's going on outside." June 4, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees: Dillon Gabriel gets 1st-team 11-on-11 reps 'It's fluid for all those guys," Rees said after the Browns' second open OTA. "All of them have opportunities up there with the first group and, look, we're evaluating all the positions. So to say, 'Hey, this is a first group, second group, we're evaluating as we roll.' So it matters. I think there's a certain confidence level — hey, you look across, you see Jerry Jeudy there. That builds confidence. You look across, you have Po [center Ethan Pocic] calling the shots up front. That builds certain confidence. So, again, all of that is part of this process. All of that is part of the development for all these quarterbacks.' June 10, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: Measuring success in offseason "You love to stay process driven," Gabriel said after the first day of minicamp. "I think for a lot of people, it's a results-based business, so let's not get that wrong, but you have to have a process behind it to be able to create consistent results. And I think whether it's a microwave mentality or that Amazon lifestyle of wanting it right away, sometimes it's just not the case. So being able to have a process, stick to it, continue to listen to your coaches and try to get better that way, that's what I want to do. I want to build a solid foundation so that you're banking on the process and then allowing that to have consistent results." June 10, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Goals between minicamp and season opener vs. Bengals 'My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as positive as I can be," Sanders said after the first day of minicamp. "So in every aspect, I view things as I got time. I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses and be able to get the good insight from the vets in the room. So I look at it as a plus. I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding, and whenever it's time for me to play, then it's time for me to play. But I'm not looking too far in the future about all that. I'm looking about every day in practice. I had some misses out there today that we got to go in there and correct about reads, getting in and out drops a little bit faster from under center. So that's the main thing. I'm focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen." June 10, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Joe Flacco, who he had an 'idea' was coming back "He's a calm, cool presence in the QB room, which I think you always need when you have young guys in there," Garrett said after the first day of minicamp. "I mean, it doesn't hurt at anytime. Even if you have a veteran, there's someone to give you some sound, insightful advice to help you walk through things. That's always a great asset. So to have that in the QB room, which is the most important room in the building, that's great." June 11, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Balancing camaraderie and competition in QB room "I don't think, like I said the first time we kind of talked about it, it's just such a natural thing that happens in all the quarterback rooms that I've been in," Pickett said after the second day of minicamp. "You just become, you're around each other for so many hours, you become friends. You are always joking about stuff. You become really good friends and you're working and competing at the same time. So it's been a natural progression in every room I've been in, and this one's doing the exact same thing." June 11, Browns QB Joe Flacco: 'Load management' in offseason carrying over "I don't know what the plan is exactly, but I trust Kevin and that he has a plan for all us and that's really all I can do," Flacco said after the second day of minicamp. "Listen, I'd love to go out there and take 120 reps a day and get in a groove and do all those things but, like I said, the coaches have a plan, Kevin has a plan, and my job is to just trust that, go out there and do the best they can." July 11, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: When does judging QBs by what reps they get start? "We're so far away from that type of thought process," Stefanski said after the second day of minicamp. "Honestly, it's a, we're in our installation phase. It's the offseason, it's OTAs, so we're going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course you're getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready for playing the season. But right now that's not our focus.' Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns 2025 QB question: Fom Deshaun Watson injury to 4-way camp fight
