Browns Will Start Season with Rookie QB—Stefanski Names Sanders or Gabriel | NFL Wires

Browns Will Start Season with Rookie QB—Stefanski Names Sanders or Gabriel | NFL Wires

Kevin Stefanski confirms Cleveland will open 2025 with either rookie QB Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel under center. Watson injured; Browns QB race heats up. Read NFL Wires.

Introduction: A Bold QB Strategy by Stefanski

With Deshaun Watson sidelined by injury and veteran Joe Flacco holding a one-year deal, the Cleveland Browns are taking an unconventional but calculated route. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the Week 1 starter will be one of their rookies—either Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel. Veteran QBs like Flacco and Kenny Pickett remain in the mix, but the Browns appear ready to lean into their youth and unfinished upside.

What Stefanski Actually Said

Stefanski praised the pair:

“Those guys are doing great… wired to get in early, stay late… they’re sponges in the meeting room” 

On practice allocation, he noted reps were strategically divided—not based on rank—reinforcing that the starter decision will come later.

Why Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel Are Front-Runners

• Daniel Jeremiah, on Rich Eisen Show, highlighted that both rookies are outperforming veteran QB Kenny Pickett and that one is likely to start Week 1. Both quarterbacks impressed at mandatory minicamp, demonstrating strong leadership, work ethic, and competitive assurance

• NFL scout Dan Orlovsky noted Shedeur's seamless fit in Stefanski’s play-action system and lauded his intelligence—calling him “an ideal fit”

Balancing Experience and Potential

• Veteran edge: Joe Flacco offers stability, Super Bowl experience, and a mentor presence.

• Rookie upside: Sanders brings elite accuracy and leadership; Gabriel offers size, pocket awareness, and college production

• Cap constraints: With Watson sidelined, the Browns can’t afford to limit QB salary or use D. Watson’s cap space on other priority positions.

Countdown to Training Camp

• July 18: Rookie camp opens

• July 22: Full team camp starts 

• During camp and preseason, Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry will gather more data—snap counts, intra-squad performance, film study habits—before deciding the opener starter.

NFL Wires Takeaway

Cleveland is making a bold move—turning to rookie talent rather than veterans to spark a rebuild. With Stefanski’s endorsement, both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are trending upward. Their Week 1 readiness now depends on how they perform under training camp pressure and the Browns’ playoff ambitions. It’s a high-stakes gamble—but one informed by merit and vision.

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