How the quarterback scenario might develop in Cleveland with several rookies and veterans presents a fascinating situation for the team.

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A major theme leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, which gained significant attention during the three-day event, was focused on Shedeur Sanders and the timing of his selection. On Saturday afternoon, following four rounds, 143 picks, and five quarterbacks selected, the Cleveland Browns made a trade to choose the impressive college quarterback as the 144th overall pick in Round 5. Now that we are aware of the team that selected Sanders and the draft pick details, another question has arisen regarding the former Colorado standout: What lies ahead for Sanders, the other quarterbacks with the Browns, and the overall quarterback scenario? To uncover the answer, we examined every quarterback associated with the team and considered their potential futures.  In addition to Sanders, the Browns are joined by other quarterbacks, including Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Dillon Gabriel, who was selected in the third round as a rookie. Cleveland retains Deshaun Watson, yet the former Pro Bowler's 2025 season faces uncertainty following a re-injury to his Achilles in January. Watson has a contract that runs until the 2026 season, though it seems improbable that he will be given a new contract. Next year's draft will see the Browns holding two first-round picks, putting them in a great spot to choose a quarterback early if they decide to go this route. 

Kenny Pickett 

According to theory, Pickett stands the highest chance of becoming the starting quarterback for the Browns at the beginning of the 2025 regular season. At just 26 years old, he has gained experience with 25 starts in his career, achieving a record of 15 wins and 10 losses. In his last 17 starts, he has an impressive 13-4 record and has begun to familiarize himself with the Browns' playbook. Before Cleveland acquired him, Pickett had begun training alongside Pro Bowl wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.  While Pickett seems like the most sensible option, the Browns might choose to take a different path just to maintain their image. If Cleveland decided to pursue a trade, Pickett would likely be the most sensible choice.  Trading either Gabriel or Sanders would lead to significant backlash for the Browns, making it very unlikely to occur. Gabriel was, after all, selected in the third round, and they could have used that selection to strengthen their group of receivers. Gabriel's trade would attract a lot of backlash unless the Browns received a significant return. 

Pickett, who was chosen in the first round, has experienced both significant fortune and misfortune since his selection in 2022. Although he secured a Super Bowl title with his boyhood team (the Eagles) last season, Pickett's time with his initial NFL team (the Steelers) was brief, and he may find himself on the outside looking in in Cleveland because of external circumstances. Pickett could still become the Browns' starting quarterback this season. Cleveland's choices of Gabriel and Sanders in the draft, however, reduced the chances of that situation occurring. 

Joe Flacco 

In contrast to Pickett, choosing Gabriel and Sanders by the Browns improved Flacco's chances of becoming the starting quarterback for Cleveland.  At 40, the likelihood of the Browns trading Flacco is slim, as he played a crucial role in guiding them to the playoffs two years ago after stepping in for an injured Watson towards the end of the season. This experience probably influenced the Browns to bring Flacco back this offseason, and it could explain why they might choose him to guide the offense once more.  Should he receive another opportunity to direct the Browns' offense, the ideal outcome would be for Flacco to perform effectively, guiding Cleveland to a satisfactory season that could potentially lead to a playoff spot. In the worst scenario, if Flacco and the Browns face difficulties, it would enable Cleveland to be in an excellent spot to choose the highest-rated quarterback, who is currently anticipated to be Texas QB Arch Manning, in 2026. 

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Dillon Gabriel 

Gabriel and Pickett appear to be the top candidates for trades by the Browns, who definitely will not retain four quarterbacks on their roster when the regular season begins. Gabriel being a third-round selection should provide him with greater stability compared to Pickett, who was obtained from Philadelphia earlier this offseason in a deal that included former Browns backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in 2025. 

Gabriel's most probable situation involves vying to secure the role of the main backup quarterback for the Browns, supporting either Flacco or Pickett. This should result in an interesting competition for the position against Sanders, who consistently received a higher ranking than him in nearly all pre-draft prospect evaluations. 

If Gabriel performs well in the preseason, there is a possibility he could be traded if a team presents the Browns with a fair offer. But what is considered reasonable? Since he was selected in the third round, a team would likely need to part with quite a bit for a rookie quarterback viewed as a project. The chances of that happening are roughly the same as Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, bringing on a general manager. 

Shedeur Sanders 

Sanders clearly shows the greatest potential for what 2025 might hold for him in Cleveland. In the worst scenario, Sanders fails to secure a spot on the 53-man roster and ends up on the practice squad. He occupies the role of the third-string quarterback during the season, gaining valuable experience under the guidance of Flacco, a seasoned professional with a successful and lengthy career in the NFL. In the best scenario, Sanders takes on the role of starting quarterback, either right at the beginning of Week 1 or at a later point. 

Typically, quarterbacks chosen in the fifth round are not viewed as starters for Day 1, but Sanders stands out as an exceptional case among fifth-round quarterbacks. He was probably the most recognized player in this year's draft and was expected at first to be selected in the top five. Even though he quickly dropped to the fifth round, many still believe that Sanders has the potential to become a starter as a rookie. 

Should that occur, Sanders must quickly enhance his skills, particularly regarding his footwork and how he handles pressure. New players face the common difficulties of understanding the playbook and adjusting to the fast pace of NFL games. 

It is probable that Sanders will arrive in Cleveland expecting to be a backup for the year, although this could definitely shift if certain factors, both within his influence and beyond it, come into play. It will be quite fascinating to observe how everything unfolds. 

Deshaun Watson 

As mentioned earlier, it seems unlikely that the Browns will renew Watson's contract when it comes to an end. If Watson's Achilles injury keeps him out for the whole 2025 season, it is highly likely that he has already played his last game in Cleveland. 

Even if Watson is back in time to participate this season, the Browns might choose to keep him off the field, opting instead to finish the season with whoever their starting quarterback is at that time. It makes no sense to begin with a quarterback who hasn’t played in more than a year, particularly one with such limited success in recent seasons. 

A major question involves the actions the Browns will take regarding Watson in 2026. The developments of this season and the events of the 2026 NFL Draft will probably provide the answers. Currently, the two most probable outcomes are that Watson will either play as a bridge quarterback or act as a backup for his eventual replacement. 

Watson has two years left on his present contract. According to ESPN, it seems unlikely that Cleveland will let him go this year due to a potential dead cap hit of $173 million. If they choose to release him after the 2025 season, that figure would decrease to $53 million. Although it's a significantly reduced amount, it still represents a substantial sum to forfeit. This is likely why Watson will probably remain on Cleveland's roster in 2026.