Latest news with #quarterbackCompetition
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Browns rookies Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders getting increased reps in OTAs
The coaches closely overseeing the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition aren't saying much about their early impressions, at least not more than they have to. Wednesday's second opportunity for reporters to watch an organized team activity wasn't exactly revealing, either. Reps are being shared, and though every rep counts in some fashion, it feels too early to learn anything from what we've seen on the practice fields. Frankly, there wasn't much of an offensive highlight reel from the team's fifth OTA practice. Advertisement One fair takeaway is that Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler, is still really good. He had two impressive pass breakups on a day when a bunch were knocked away, some that probably should have been intercepted. Another takeaway is that it's probably not going to be until at least late July for this four-man quarterback competition to produce any clues about which direction it might be headed. 'All the guys have done a nice job coming to work and understanding that each day is going to be a little bit different rotationally, and that it's an evaluation process for us still,' Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. 'So we're just working through those reps and different situations. 'In terms of the competition, we're so early in the process. We're so early in evaluating it. But I think we have a good group of guys that will continue to push one another. I think it's going to be fluid. We're going to continue to work with all the guys we have. We're going to develop all four of 'em, and we're going to push the reps. We're going to find ways to be creative and make sure they all have opportunities to develop and put their best foot forward. And when the time comes, we will continue to push guys forward as they earn it.' For the second straight week, Kenny Pickett was first in line as the Browns' offensive players went through early warmup drills over the first 20 minutes of practice. A week after Joe Flacco took the first rep when practice shifted to 11-on-11 drills, Pickett went first this time. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has built extra competitive passing periods into his practice itineraries. The most noticeable change from the first open OTA to the second was that fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders got some 11-on-11 snaps. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, who officially signed his rookie contract on Wednesday, remains third in the primary quarterback line with Sanders fourth. Pickett and Flacco, the veterans of the group, always go first, although Flacco sat out one team drill Wednesday while the rookies worked on separate fields. Gabriel took some snaps with the No. 1 offense before being replaced by Pickett; Sanders still has worked only with backups. Advertisement Earlier this week, Stefanski said Sanders had previously been taking 11-on-11 reps in practices that weren't open, and the coach reiterated what he's been saying since the Browns drafted two quarterbacks: all four are getting chances, and all four are being evaluated in everything they do. 'I would say there's a lot of work that gets done when you guys aren't out there,' Stefanski said. 'Even in a meeting or in a walk-through, our guys are getting exposed to a lot. 'Honestly, every day is different. Every day we're mixing and matching, giving guys different looks. I've told you before, it's not going to be a 25 percent (shared reps) down the middle type of thing. But we're trying to expose the guys to different things.' Stefanski has emphasized that the Browns want 'an all-encompassing evaluation' of the four quarterbacks that goes beyond a few throws by each player in May and June. Gabriel and Sanders joined the team's offseason program in mid-May, and in OTA practices, the Browns at times have established the same drill on two different practice fields to ensure all four quarterbacks are at least getting some work in different areas. 'The football term is probably the 'two-spot,' and it's a great way to maximize your work,' Rees said. 'Look, it's not just one position group that's able to get maximized. You look at young wideouts, young linemen, young skill players across the board that we can get so many reps for now. Instead of them just getting the reps from the sideline or mental reps, now they're actually out there learning on the fly and things come up. You might run the same play on two different fields, get two different defenses, and now you have two opportunities to coach off of. So I really do think it benefits the entirety of the team.' Though Gabriel showed off his quick release on a touchdown pass through traffic in the late practice 7-on-7 session Wednesday, there were only two notable completions in the 11-on-11 portions: Flacco had an underthrown but successful deep ball to wide-open rookie wide receiver Cade McDonald, and Sanders threw a dart on a slant to Kaden Davis in the back of the end zone. Davis may or may not have gotten his second foot inbounds, but both the throw and catch were impressive. Shedeur ➡️ Kaden Davis ➡️ TD — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 4, 2025 The intentional mixing of personnel groups is meant to test the quarterbacks' readiness, but the Browns also have been short on wide receivers in these voluntary sessions. Stefanski and Rees have even mixed groups and kept linemen on the field for 7-on-7 drills so the rookie quarterbacks can get used to communicating with offensive linemen and navigating traffic. 'They come from the college world where very few things are called into the huddle, where you have to command a huddle (and) operate an offense the way you're asked to at this level,' Rees said. 'I think just from an operational standpoint, you continue to see these guys grow and become more comfortable. There's gonna be a moment where they get to their comfort level, and that's when they'll be able to maximize and feel comfortable out there.' Advertisement Next week's mandatory minicamp will bring more players into the fold, notably Browns No. 1 tight end David Njoku and No. 1 pass rusher Myles Garrett, both of whom have skipped voluntary OTAs. There won't be live contact or a pass rush, but Gabriel and Sanders should be more comfortable with the playbook and the team's on-field operation than they were last month, and that should show up on the field as the Browns work toward a summer where reps — with the starters and backups — will be both more carefully planned and closely evaluated. 'Dillon and Shedeur, they're both wired to get in early, stay late, put in whatever work is required,' Stefanski said. 'They're sponges in the meeting room, which I think is really fun for me. In my vantage point, I get to sit there and watch the two young guys, look over and there's Joe, 40 years old, won a Super Bowl. There's Kenny Pickett, just going into Year 4, but a first-round draft pick who's been on a couple teams, won a Super Bowl last year. There's Deshaun (Watson), who's had a ton of success in his career. 'The (rookies) can kind of feed off of all those guys, so it's fun for me to watch them get better sometimes just by listening.' To this point, there hasn't been a lot to see. But with no one expecting the Browns to keep four quarterbacks and the franchise's future at the game's most important position appearing wide open, the real competition is coming. Right now, the positioning has just begun.
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rookie Shedeur Sanders on Browns quarterback competition: ‘We know we're one'
The Cleveland Browns' four-man quarterback competition may look heated from the outside, but rookie Shedeur Sanders has a different interpretation of the crowded room. 'Everybody's cool,' Sanders said in an interview with FanDuel TV's Kay Adams at the NFL Players Association rookie premiere. 'Outside the room, people try to pit us against each other, but inside the room, we know we're one.' Advertisement Sanders was the second of the Browns' two quarterbacks drafted in April. Cleveland selected Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in the third round before putting a stop to Sanders' draft slide from a potential first-round pick by selecting him in the fifth round. The pair joins veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco in a battle for Cleveland's starting snaps, the latter of whom Sanders seemed especially impressed with. 'We're all different characters. It's funny going there and seeing Joe (Flacco) every day. It's fun to see him because I'm like, 'Wow, I'm really with Joe Flacco right now, we're on the same team,'' Sanders said. 'Then, of course, with Kenny (Pickett), the experience he has being in the league for these years is cool just to see the process of it. And Deshaun (Watson), of course, he's active in there, he's in all the meetings, so it's cool talking to him.' The 40-year-old Flacco signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Browns in April, signaling his return to the team he led to a four-game win streak and playoff push late in the 2023 season. His first college football season (2003) was one year after Sanders was born (2002), and he's entering his 18th NFL season in 2025. Pickett was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Browns in March for a fifth-round draft pick and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Watson isn't expected to be healthy in the coming months after he had surgery on his re-torn Achilles, nor is he expected to be a part of the Browns' future plans. Pickett and Flacco have been participating in Cleveland's formal offseason workout program since April 21, and Sanders and Gabriel officially joined the mix at rookie minicamp in early May. The Browns' first organized team activity practice is scheduled for May 27. There will be two weeks of voluntary OTA sessions ahead of mandatory minicamp June 10-12, followed by a third week of OTA practices scheduled for the week of June 16.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Analyst Predicts Stunning Twist in Cleveland Browns QB Battle
Heading into training camp and preseason action, the Cleveland Browns will hold a major quarterback competition. At this point, the team has five quarterbacks on the roster. During the 2025 NFL draft, the Browns added both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. They didn't expect to take two quarterbacks, but they couldn't pass up on the opportunity. Advertisement Those two rookies are joined by Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson in the Cleveland quarterback room. Watson isn't likely to start again for the Browns, but the other four players will be battling for playing time and the right to be the Week 1 starter. Many have viewed Flacco as the likely Week 1 starter. However, a new hint from ESPN goes against that line of thought. ESPN's Mike Clay revealed his expected projections for each team in the NFL. When it came to Cleveland, he doesn't have Flacco listed at all. That suggests Flacco won't be on the roster — a development that would shock many given Flacco's success in his previous run with the Browns (1,923 yards passing, 14 touchdowns in six games, including the playoffs) and his 191 NFL starts. Advertisement Clay has Pickett playing the most, with Gabriel and Sanders also getting a decent amount of playing time Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images In his projections, Clay has Pickett playing in eight games. Pickett was predicted to throw for 1,838 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions. Gabriel was projected to play in five games, racking up 1,205 passing yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. Sanders was projected at four games played, 925 passing yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. Flacco could be an intriguing trade candidate before the regular season. If the other three quarterbacks on the roster impress the Browns, the veteran could be moved for draft capital. Advertisement While these are just projections, it's worth taking note of the hint. Perhaps the young guns in Cleveland will force the 40-year-old signal caller out of town and give the Browns a brighter outlook for the future. Related: Former Super Bowl Champion Turns Heads With Travis Hunter Statement Related: Ex-Steelers Star Shares Controversial Opinion on Mike Tomlin's Coaching Future
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders takes the field for the first time as the Browns begin their rookie minicamp
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kaden Davis, left, catches a pass in front of cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel prepares to throw (5) during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kaden Davis, left, catches a pass in front of cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel prepares to throw (5) during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Shedeur Sanders began the process Friday of trying to show he can be a factor in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition. Sanders, possibly the most-publicized 144th-overall draft pick ever after the projected first-rounder dropped into the fifth round, took the field for his first practice as the Browns opened a two-day rookie minicamp. Advertisement Wearing an orange No. 12 jersey, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders got the same amount of snaps as third-round pick Dillon Gabriel during the 90-minute practice. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said both quarterbacks did a nice job. "I think the fun part is we've spent so much pre-draft time with these players, particularly when we're talking about our quarterbacks with Dillon and Shedeur,' he said. "We've spent meeting time with them out of this building. We've taken them through walkthroughs and then they get to go do it in uniform with the helmets on and just see what they can take from the meeting room to the grass." Sanders and Gabriel are likely to give interviews Saturday after the Browns made their other four draft picks available Friday. Advertisement Both quarterbacks started with individual work and a 7-on-7 drill before each got six plays during full-team drills. Gabriel took the first snaps in the 11-on-11 period, likely because he was the higher draft pick. Stefanski did not give a reason, though. 'I think you'll see the whole weekend, going through the spring, we don't pay too close attention to who's in there first,' Stefanski said. Because they drafted two quarterbacks, the Browns have tweaked their practice schedule to allow for more 7-on-7 work — skill position players going against linebackers and the secondary. Cleveland signed six wide receivers and two tight ends to tryout contracts this weekend in order to maximize snaps. Advertisement Sanders and Gabriel's biggest adjustments will be working more under center after playing most of their careers in shotgun formations. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was instructing both quarterbacks on things to improve. Stefanski said both players need to work on technique as they get ready to join the quarterback room with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett next week. When it comes to the quarterback competition, Stefanski did not want to say if anyone is ahead yet. "There's a lot of time between now and September, so we will have a plan. It's an all-encompassing evaluation,' he said. 'It's not something that it's just based on the practice reps. There's a lot that goes into it.' Advertisement Defensive end Mason Graham, whom the Browns took with the fifth-overall pick, said it didn't matter to him that there was more attention on Sanders. 'I come to play football. If the media's on me, then they're on me. If the media's not, then it's not. I'm just going to do my job at the end of the day,' he said. NOTES: Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (second round) and running back Dylan Sampson (fourth round) signed their rookie contracts. ... Stefanski said linebacker Devin Bush 'was in the building this week' after being charged with harassment and misdemeanor simple assault last weekend. Bush is accused of chasing his girlfriend through his house in suburban Pittsburgh and smashing her cellphone. ___ AP NFL:
