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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As Browns rookie QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders report to training camp, where does QB battle stand?
BEREA, Ohio — When the Cleveland Browns began their second-to-last practice of minicamp in June, Joe Flacco prepared for another day on the sidelines. The 40-year-old veteran quarterback didn't love the inactivity. But entering his 18th season, he understood the relative benefit of the offseason for him compared to the three quarterbacks his junior. Even so, spectators watching Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders were tempted to ask: What did this rep allocation say about the Browns' depth chart? Perhaps not what you think, general manager Andrew Berry cautioned. 'Oftentimes, the thought in the NFL is like, 'OK, well, your starter gets 70% of the reps, your backup gets 25% of the reps and your third guy gets 5% of the reps, and the job of the backups is to be ready to play with no reps,' Berry told Yahoo Sports during a sitdown interview June 11. 'It doesn't have to be that way – especially in the spring, when we have some flexibility because we're not necessarily preparing for games.' So the Browns did not allocate reps in correlation with their expected depth chart. They instead tilted offseason practices toward getting their two rookie quarterbacks up to speed their first time awash in professional football, and toward getting their offseason acquisition in Pickett up to speed on a playbook with which he was not yet familiar. They ran 'two-spot' practices with simultaneous fields allowing the veterans to work more complex play calls ripe with shifts and motions, while the rookies were tasked with playing fast and achieving success even if on more simple assignments. The result: When the Browns concluded minicamp and broke for roughly six weeks until training camp, their quarterback competition appeared bifurcated. The veterans fell into one bucket of opportunity for Cleveland's eventual decision on a Week 1 starter, while the rookies landed in another. Neither bucket's duo was homogenous. As Gabriel and Sanders report Friday with the Browns rookies, followed by Flacco and Pickett on Tuesday with the veterans, what can NFL fans expect from the quarterback competition and its participants? Let's break down where each contestant stands – and what the Browns will look for as their decision day nears. Meet the quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Resident Old Guy To avoid the endless repetition on Flacco's age, can we all just agree he's a quadragenarian? The 2008 first-round pick won his Super Bowl MVP award following the 2012 season. For those counting at home, it is 2025. But Flacco isn't just old, as Sanders likes to remind him – he's also overflowing with knowledge and experience, of the Browns' offense to be specific from his 2023 playoff run, and of the NFL defenses the Browns will need a QB to diagnose. Flacco returns to Cleveland with a 105-86 career regular-season record, completing 61.7% of his passes for 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns and 162 interceptions as a pro. He's competed in seven different playoff runs. But in his 2024 stint with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco was not at his peak. He completed 65.3% of passes and threw 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions as he averaged 220.1 yards per game last season. The Colts won just two of six games he started. Even so, it's fair to consider Flacco the early frontrunner for Week 1 starter. Browns brass emphasized decision-making and processing as key tenets of how they'll decide who starts the season, and Flacco's six games (playoffs included) with Stefanski and Cleveland in 2023 give him a head start. He's so ahead that he was 'punished' with minimal reps in offseason activities. If the Browns believe he's their best option to start the season, they'll want to re-allocate reps in the coming weeks. If they believe someone else can keep up – keep an eye on the trade market. Kenny Pickett, Experienced But Not With This System Guy As the 20th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickett joined a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that wasn't necessarily positioned to thrive. Pickett didn't thrive, completing 62.6% of passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a pair of 7-5 seasons. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles last season, backing up Jalen Hurts on Philadelphia's Super Bowl championship roster. Pickett has some NFL exposure, but he admitted during mandatory minicamp his minimal experience with the play-action and under-center concepts that head coach Kevin Stefanski likes to call. Pickett's comfort with those concepts grew during offseason installations, and the knowledge he does have at the pro level he not only used but also shared. Sanders looked to Pickett for guidance on marrying footwork correctly with reads, and discerning when a play calls for a three-step drop compared to a five or seven. If Pickett can convince the Browns he's as ready to thrive in Week 1 as Flacco (or close), he could win that job as the Browns can gain more future upside by investing snaps into a 27-year-old than a 40-year-old. Pickett could also be a candidate for trade bait if Flacco seems healthy and Gabriel ready for backup duties. Dillon Gabriel, The Computer Mind Browns brass raves about Gabriel's learning speed and processing strength, Berry describing Gabriel as 'basically like a veteran' after his six college seasons. 'You don't ever really need to correct him twice,' offensive coordinator Tommy Rees told Yahoo Sports. 'He won't make the same mistake.' Gabriel played 64 college games across six seasons and three schools, throwing for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions across UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He will have an adjustment period in the NFL. But the Browns allowed him to begin working with more veteran concepts during minicamp because of the rate at which he was progressing. 'In this profession, I think there's a bunch of progression and regression,' Gabriel said during minicamp. 'Just your ability to manage that as fast as possible, I think that allows you to create improvement at a faster pace.' Consider Gabriel a darkhorse option for Week 1 starter and realistic option to take further reins later in the season. Shedeur Sander, The High-Upside Draft Surprise The Browns stunned the NFL world selecting Sanders in the fifth round after taking Gabriel in the third. But they didn't necessarily veer from their principles in the selection. 'We will take backslide even when we have [someone at that position] if we think there's a player that's the appropriate value or undervalued relative,' Berry said. 'We didn't anticipate Shedeur being around in the fifth round. I imagine most of the league didn't either.' Sanders arrived in Cleveland after completing 70.1% of passes for 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in four total seasons across Jackson State and Colorado. His college experience is deep also, but there is belief among many in the NFL that its volume and diversity trails what Gabriel learned in six years. Browns coaches did not ask Sanders to integrate the same volume of playbook during minicamp as his counterparts, reflected when he did not take first-team snaps as the other three did. Sanders' arm strength and playmaking impressed on the concepts he did run. 'I view things as, I got time,' Sanders said at minicamp. '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 good insight from the vets in the room. 'My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as polished as I can be in every aspect.' Now what? Early training camp practices often focus on reiterating offensive installations after the long break. But meeting rooms, practices and preseason games will give the Browns more data points off which to determine their depth chart and starter roles. A seemingly four-way quarterback competition to outsiders feels more like a pair of two-way competitions on the ground in Berea. But the Browns won't count out surprises in the next six weeks. Rees will continue to emphasize exposure to concepts and improvement, reminding quarterbacks that they can't always script the perfect play so problem-solving and decision-making will make or break the offense's success. Stefanski will continue assessing each of his quarterbacks' strengths in order to tailor his offense accordingly – or more precisely, in his words, decide which concepts from his broad-enough-to-fit-each-guy playbook he should most emphasize to accentuate the quarterback in the game. And Berry? As the front office finalizes roster decisions in late August, he'll continue viewing competition and crowded rooms as a benefit rather than a distraction. 'I think if you're in any position room and you're worried about a guy that's taken or signed that's out of your control, then you probably don't have the mental wiring to be as competitive as you need to be for that spot,' Berry said. 'The reality of it is, everybody's got to compete. 'Everybody's got to earn their keep, so to speak.'
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cleveland Browns General Manager Is Getting Destroyed After Latest Player Arrest
Cleveland Browns General Manager Is Getting Destroyed After Latest Player Arrest originally appeared on The Spun. The last few offseasons haven't been the easiest for Browns fans to stomach and this one didn't get any easier with Saturday's news. Advertisement After selecting Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins with the 36th overall pick in the second round, the rookie running back was arrested on serious domestic violence charges that allege he touched/struck and battered a victim. A Browns spokesperson has said the franchise is aware of the situation and is "gathering information." But its GM Andrew Berry that's found himself directly in the crosshairs of the Cleveland faithful online. "The Deshaun Watson failure should have been the end of Andrew Berry's tenure here," a user said. "Second consecutive offseason one of Andrew Berry's draft picks is arrested and charged following an alleged domestic violence incident," Daryl Ruiter shared. "Also should note, Judkins has yet to sign his rookie contract." Advertisement "questions should be asked about these Andrew Berry background checks," a fan commented. "also 2nd time this has happened with someone with a 'clean' record out of Columbus, we should also ask about Ryan Day too, this pattern is smaller scale but similar to his mentor." "Andrew Berry has had more draft picks get arrested than the Browns will have wins this year," another person posted. "Andrew berry legitimately might be the worst gm of all time. His track record is crazy," another fan pointed out. "Absolutely sick & tired of Andrew Berry drafting guys who are abusers," a member of the Dawg Pound replied. "His resume now includes Deshaun Watson, Mike Hall & Quinshon. Like, at some point, it has to matter dude. I'm so tired of it. I get you don't always know- but it's a recurring theme." Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images It's definitely a tough look for a franchise that — on top of being a perpetual disappointment — tends to make all the wrong headlines off the field as well. Advertisement We'll continue to monitor these developments as more details come out surrounding Judkins' arrest. Related: 'He's Done' - Fans React To NFL Running Back's Arrest On Saturday Cleveland Browns General Manager Is Getting Destroyed After Latest Player Arrest first appeared on The Spun on Jul 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Wideout Named Most Promising Building Block
Browns Wideout Named Most Promising Building Block originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the Cleveland Browns drafted Tennessee wideout Cedric Tillman in the third round at No. 74 overall, it was for a specific purpose. Advertisement General manager Andrew Berry thought he was building an offense around quarterback Deshaun Watson. But as we are approaching what feels a lot like the end of the Watson era in Cleveland, Tillman's future role seems clear. Be a part of the Browns' future with whoever is under center. And Bleacher Report believes that he's the most promising building block on the Cleveland roster right now. "Last season, Cedric Tillman flashed when the Cleveland Browns needed a spark in the passing game. After Week 6, the Browns traded wideout Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, which allowed Tillman to slide into a starting role and see a consistent number of targets in the passing game," B/R wrote. "In Cleveland's first three games without Cooper, Tillman hauled in 21 of 32 targets for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Late in November, he suffered a concussion, and the team eventually placed him on injured reserve. Advertisement "Despite Tillman's small sample size in an expanded role, the Browns have taken note of his intriguing upside. The Athletic's Zac Jackson wrote that the third-year receiver is 'locked in as a starter.' As a top target in the Browns' aerial attack, Tillman could take a significant leap in production this year." Across two seasons with Cleveland, Tillman has posted 563 yards on 50 catches and three touchdowns. It's hoped he will see increased usage with Cooper no longer on the team. Related: Deshaun Watson Coach Takes Jab at Deion Sanders Related: Browns' Myles Garrett 'Setting the Standard' in Cleveland This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Predicted to Make Head-Scratching Trade Before 2025 Season
Browns Predicted to Make Head-Scratching Trade Before 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Browns have a unique quarterback situation this year. After signing veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in the wake of Deshaun Watson's second Achilles tear in three months back in January, general manager Andrew Berry also drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in this year's draft. Advertisement The law of averages and simple logic would tell us that one of those four will prevail after the preseason to be the starter. And some think that will be fifth-round draft pick Sanders. If it is, then the Browns should thank their lucky stars that they found a bona fide starter in the fifth round. But some don't share that thought. NFL Trade Rumors believes that if Sanders prevails in the preseason, he'll be the subject of a trade. "Trading Sanders as a rookie would be unorthodox, but it's worth noting Cleveland passed on Sanders several times in the draft, including to take another quarterback before the value finally became too much to ignore," NFLTR wrote. "The Browns' front office is value-obsessed, and Sanders is a potential buy-low/sell-high opportunity. Advertisement "He's the passer the Browns could likely generate the strongest return off of if he has a solid preseason." If the Browns trade Sanders after he wins the QB job, why would they trade him? This team is one season removed from an 11-6 mark and a playoff appearance. They're not that far away from returning to that. With Sanders as "the guy," surely it would be either Gabriel or Pickett who would be traded, leaving the experienced Flacco as his backup. That just makes more sense. Related: Browns Passing Weapon Could Help QB Room Develop Related: Browns Predicted to Suffer Harsh Reality in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Non-QB topics to ponder a month from training camp
BEREA — There's roughly a month to go until the Browns get back on the field for the start of training camp. That's another month to ponder the questions that surround the team as it tries to climb back from the 3-14 disaster that was the 2024 season. That disaster has created plenty of questions for the Browns. Advertisement The obvious one is about the quarterback position. However, that question is so obvious it's not going to be addressed here. Instead, let's take a look at three questions that will hover over the Browns until they get into training camp. Tough talk, or are Browns truly committed to toughness? Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, left, and coach Kevin Stefanski watch as wide receiver Gage Larvadain practices with the special teams during a practice at the team's training facility May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. A running theme from both coaches and some of the Browns' most prominent veterans has centered around a root cause for the 2024 record. Distilled down to the simplest term, it is the team's toughness. Or, lack thereof. Essentially, if you listen to players like left guard Joel Bitonio, when the going got tough last season, a whole lot of players didn't respond well at all. That, in his own words, turned into a "snowball" that rolled over any hopes of a good season. Advertisement The talk during the offseason program was about a renewed dedication to getting tougher, both physically and mentally. They talked about tougher workouts and more accountability. Training camp will show whether that was just tough talk, or if there really is a commitment to change. One way will come in the intensity of the training camp itself, which has been lacking in recent Browns camps compared to other teams. More help on the way for Browns wide receiving corps? The only veteran addition made to the Browns wide receiving corps was DeAndre Carter, a player whose biggest role may come in the return game, and Diontae Johnson, who bounced around three different teams last year. The only help in terms of rookies added came from undrafted free agents or tryout players who managed to stick. Advertisement So the question remains about the depth after Jerry Jeudy, who's coming off a Pro Bowl, record-setting season. Are the Browns content with what they have right now and seeing who rises to the top during training camp, or will they still bring in someone else — like maybe Keenan Allen? There's also the third path, which calls for one of the recent wide receivers drafted by the team to make a big jump. That group most notably includes 2023 third-round pick Cedric Tillman and 2024 fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash. Whichever path it comes from, it has to come sooner rather than later. It doesn't matter who the quarterback ends up being if they don't have a reliable group of wide receivers to target. Would Browns make a deal to help fill one of their position gaps? Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) eyes down quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during practice at minicamp June 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. This is almost a secondary question to the previous one. However, it could have implications at other spots on the roster that need boosting as well. Advertisement The most obvious answer for a player the Browns could try to trade to reap another piece in return is cornerback Greg Newsome II. Of course, Newsome's been on the "Browns to watch potentially get traded" list for at least two seasons and remains here, so maybe it's time to move along. There are also a couple of older defensive linemen who could end up moving. Those decisions, though, wouldn't be so much about getting a player back as much as getting a player out of the way so a younger player can get more reps. This question is sort of an evergreen one. It could get answered even during this break, or not until the Browns see how the situation looks once they get going in the preseason. 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 questions: Is the team tough enough? Will they add another WR?
