Browns Insider Reveals QB1 Battle Plans for Shedeur Sanders, Pickett, Flacco, Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns are setting the stage for a four-way quarterback battle, with Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders all in the mix for the QB1 spot.

The team will run two passing camps during team activities into mandatory minicamp and possibly into training camp, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

The drills will likely be broken up into Pickett and Gabriel No. 1 and No. 2 and Flacco and Sanders No. 3 and No. 4 based on how they were acquired, per Cabot.

In regard to Flacco and Sanders sharing the third and fourth reps, Sanders may occasionally take the first reps, but Flacco’s 17 years of NFL experience give him a firm grasp of the system, per Cabot. Meanwhile, Sanders needs every snap he can get to learn the offense, build timing with his receivers and adjust to the speed of the pro game.

The Browns open their season on Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals and are determined to start on a stronger note than last year’s collapse.

Cleveland kicked off its season with a 1-6 record in 2024 behind Deshaun Watson, who returned from a shoulder injury but struggled to regain form. The team never recovered, ultimately finishing 3-14.

According to Cabot, the Browns are high on fourth-year quarterback Pickett, viewing him as a potential reclamation project in the mold of Sam Darnold or Jared Goff—a talented but inconsistent starter who blossoms in a second or third opportunity.

Pickett spent two seasons as the starter in Pittsburgh before a stint in Philadelphia, where he served under former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. While he didn’t fully meet expectations early in his career, the Browns believe his time with Moore helped him mature and refine his game.

With Flacco’s veteran poise, Gabriel’s high floor, Sanders’ passing ability and Pickett’s blend of experience and untapped potential, each quarterback brings a distinct style to the table. The result: a wide-open and highly competitive four-man battle for QB1 as the Browns prepare for a fresh start.