Browns' crowded quarterback room could force a surprising roster decision soon
Cleveland Browns
are staring down an intriguing, and perhaps chaotic, quarterback conundrum heading into the 2025 NFL season. When
Joe Flacco
rejoined the team on a one-year, $4.25 million deal in April, many believed he would be the veteran bridge until a rookie was ready to take over.
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But with the Browns selecting both Dillon Gabriel and
Shedeur Sanders
in the draft and already trading for Kenny Pickett, Flacco's path to staying on the roster has become increasingly narrow.
Cleveland Browns may not carry all four quarterbacks—bold roster cut could be coming
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report highlighted this brewing dilemma by naming Flacco among the top cut candidates across the league. 'The Browns probably won't carry four quarterbacks into the regular season, and the 40-year-old Flacco simply doesn't carry long-term value,' he wrote.
Considering Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the 2025 season due to back-to-back Achilles tears, it would seem experience is valuable—but not if the future is clearly trending toward youth.
Flacco, who became something of a local legend after leading the Browns to the playoffs in 2023, struggled last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite throwing for 1,761 yards and 12 touchdowns in six starts, his 2-4 record and seven interceptions—combined with 18 sacks taken—offered a stark reminder that his best football is likely behind him.
And now, Cleveland's front office has invested heavily in a quarterback room full of potential. Pickett, still just 27, may not have solidified himself in previous stints with the Steelers and Eagles, but he brings more upside than Flacco, especially as a long-term backup or developmental project. Meanwhile, Gabriel and Sanders arrive with four-year rookie contracts and a chance to grow within the system.
Will Shedeur Sanders even make the Browns' roster? | Football 301
But it's Sanders' storyline that has stolen headlines.
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Once projected as a first-round pick, the former Colorado star plummeted to the fifth round amid concerns about his character and maturity. The moment he was drafted by Cleveland with the 144th overall pick was one of shock and redemption. And it came with a dose of motivation.
Sanders was reportedly told that making the Browns' 53-man roster would be the 'greatest accomplishment' of his life. That's no hyperbole. The rookie enters one of the most competitive quarterback battles in the league, and he's doing so with significant scrutiny following him.
Several anonymous league insiders were harsh in their pre-draft assessments, questioning his interview performance and whether he had the tools to become a legitimate NFL starter.
Despite the criticism, Sanders boasts elite arm talent and presence in the pocket. Winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award speaks to his potential. Talent evaluators even ranked him higher than Gabriel, hinting that Cleveland might have landed a steal if Sanders can rise above the noise.
General Manager Andrew Berry, who pulled the trigger on Sanders, remains optimistic. 'Let's get ready to go to work and prove all the people who passed on you wrong,' he told Sanders in a powerful draft-day phone call. Berry added, 'We felt good with him as a person. He works hard. He's a really good kid. He wants to be great.'
The path forward starts now. Rookie minicamps have already begun, with OTAs and mandatory minicamp scheduled in the weeks ahead.
Sanders' ability to capitalize on these reps—both physically and mentally—could determine not only his future but also how this quarterback room ultimately shapes up.
While Flacco brings experience, the Browns seem poised to bet on potential. If the future is indeed now in Cleveland, then Joe Flacco might just find himself as the odd man out in a quarterback carousel that's rapidly spinning in a new direction.
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