A Quarterback Conundrum in Cleveland
It was no secret that the Cleveland Browns needed to address their quarterback situation in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s also not a major surprise that they ultimately landed Shedeur Sanders. What did raise eyebrows was how the Browns handled the situation.
Instead of selecting Sanders in the first or second round, as many had anticipated, Cleveland waited until he slid to the fifth round. By that time, the team had already selected another quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, taken in the third round.
This unconventional decision to draft two quarterbacks in the middle rounds has created a crowded room that already includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson.
Gabriel’s Unexpected Reaction
It was a move that stirred confusion and speculation, particularly about how Gabriel might feel being followed by another quarterback pick just two rounds later.
On Saturday during the Browns’ rookie minicamp, Gabriel addressed the situation. And his reaction might not be what most expected. “Yeah, I love it. You know, I love it because of who it is. 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 [during rookie minicamp] is, but, you know, going into the year, Kenny [Pickett], Joe [Flacco] and even Deshaun [Watson], just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.”
Saying the Right Things
It’s worth noting that what Gabriel says publicly and what he feels privately may not fully align. But outwardly, he is saying all the right things.
As a third-round pick at quarterback, particularly for a team that hasn’t had a consistent starter in decades, Gabriel likely entered with the expectation of eventually earning a shot at the starting job. Or at least competing for it.
Yet Cleveland didn’t just select another quarterback, they picked one of the most high-profile and polarizing players in the class, who is bound to attract significant attention.
The Depth Chart Debate
An open quarterback competition still looms among the veterans and rookies. From a practical standpoint, Gabriel should start higher on the depth chart than Sanders.
After all, he was drafted earlier. Based purely on draft order, Cleveland effectively announced that they viewed Gabriel as the better quarterback. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything once the games begin.
