By Thomas Kelly
We are only four months away from the start of the 2025 NFL season and the Cleveland Browns have still yet to make a decision on who will be the starting quarterback come the start of the season. The Browns have five quarterbacks on their current roster and there doesn’t seem to be a standout starter among the five signal callers. So, who will be the starter come September? Lets asses the options.
The veteran options
Firstly, it’s safe to rule out Deshaun Watson, the once-star QB that the Browns gave up three first-round picks for back in 2022. The trade majorly backfired. Watson flopped after arriving in Cleveland and after the Browns gave Watson a 220 million dollar contract it has gone down as an all-time terrible move. Watson is currently rehabbing from an Achilles tendon injury that will sideline him for most of the 2025 season so it’s safe to assume he won’t be the starter this season, and he will most likely be released come next offseason.
The first offseason acquisition at QB is NFL veteran Joe Flacco. The 40-year-old is entering his 18th season in the league and is no stranger to playing for the Browns after he started five games for them in 2023. Flacco lead that Browns team to the playoffs and he also took home the Comeback Player of the Year award. He spent last season at the Indianapolis Colts and started eight games after Anthony Richardson went down with injury. Flacco has proven to be a reliable option in the NFL but the ceiling with veteran is not as high as some others options the Browns have. While it seems likely Flacco will make the final roster, it would be a shock to see him take the first snap under centre for the Browns this year.
The next option for the Browns comes in the form of the former first-round pick of division rivals Pittsburgh Steelers, recent Super Bowl champion Kenny Pickett. Pickett who did not live up to the hype in Pittsburgh, arrived in Cleveland via a trade with the Eagles with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick heading to Philadelphia. While Pickett could not become the franchise changer for Pittsburgh he could have a shot at a fresh start in Cleveland. Pickett has a 15-10 record as an NFL starting QB and before the NFL draft Pickett looked like the man who would start for the Browns.
The rookie options
The 2025 NFL draft saw the Browns bring in two more quarterbacks, the first of which was Oregon Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel, a Hawaii native, spent time at UCF and Oklahoma before transferring to Oregon for his senior year where his play pushed him into the third round as the Cleveland Browns selected him 94th overall. Gabriel realistically does not project to be an NFL-level starter but rather a high-calibre backup. His small size at five feet eleven and shorter arms mean that he could struggle against bigger and better athletes. However the Browns’ limited options at quarterback mean that the 24-year-old could see some real starting opportunities in year one of his NFL career.
The last of the Browns’ options has been one of the most widely talked about NFL stories in the past few months, former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The son of former NFL star Deion Sanders was taken in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Browns and usually fifth-round quarterbacks get very little mention but the NFL world have been talking non-stop about Sanders. Prior to draft night back in April the media had led the NFL fan bases to believe that Sanders was set to be a top ten pick in the draft or at minimum a first round pick but this was obviously not the case. NFL teams did not have a first-round grade on Sanders and so he fell down the board. Sanders’ talent many believe did warrant a selection on day two of the draft but he would have to wait to the third day to hear his name called by Cleveland. This caused a meltdown by some analysts, including draft veteran Mel Kiper who went on a whining rant calling out the NFL in an unprofessional outburst.
There have been many reasons speculated for this slide in the draft but the most widely believed is that although teams did believe Sanders was talented enough to be a round two or three pick they didn’t want the whole circus that comes with the son of an NFL star. Sanders and his dad Deion have not been without their controversy after they arrived at Colorado after telling half the team to hit the transfer portal. Sanders’ leadership has also been called into question after he blamed his teammates for losses during his time in college. While Sanders’ talent isn’t in question, his leadership and character have been called into question. Sanders will definitely be in the run in for the starting job, but with Gabriel being taken ahead of him in the draft, it would seem likely that Gabriel gets starting chances before Sanders.
“It’s a tough call”
Bootleg NFL analyst EJ Snyder believes that the starting job should be based on the best fit: “Cleveland faces a unique scenario. With veterans like Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett alongside rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, the situation is intriguing. Flacco offers valuable experience and a steady approach, essential for a team aiming to recover from a challenging 3–14 season. On the other hand, Gabriel stands out with his impressive college performance and leadership skills. Sanders, though a fifth-round draft pick, has demonstrated noteworthy potential that merits attention. Ultimately, the selection should hinge on who aligns best with the new offensive scheme devised by coordinator Tommy Rees.”
Synder thinks the job could also be based on the Browns aim for this season, “It’s a tough call. For immediate stability, Flacco may be the right option. Conversely, if the Browns are focused on the future, allowing Gabriel or Sanders to develop and take on leadership roles could be beneficial. Assessing each quarterback’s performance during training camp and preseason games is crucial before finalising any decision.”
The current betting favourite to be the starter is Kenny Pickett, according to FOX Sports, and the former Steeler will be hoping to get the chance to prove himself in the NFL once again.
Whoever the starter ends up being, it will be a struggle of a season the Browns lack quality on their roster and will likely endure another losing season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a quarterback change throughout the season, allowing multiple players a fair shot.
