Browns GM Says It's 'Not Much of a Decision' to Keep Shedeur, Gabriel, Flacco, Pickett

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry confirmed that the team plans to keep quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the final 53-man roster.

"Honestly, it's not much of a decision for us," Berry said Saturday on the Browns' television broadcast (h/t NFL Network's Mike Garafolo). "All four guys have done what we've asked. … We have a room that we like all the guys in there. We don't really see that as a problem. We more see it as an opportunity."

All four signal-callers were part of Cleveland's quarterback competition in training camp, although Flacco was named the Week 1 starter under center on Monday.

While keeping more than three quarterbacks following final roster cuts isn't common around the NFL, it's familiar territory for the Browns. Cleveland's initial roster for the 2024 season featured four passers consisting of Deshaun Watson, Tyler Huntley, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jameis Winston.

This year, the Browns don't have a major incentive to cut ties with any of the four players who participated in their position battle.

Flacco won the starting job and operates as a veteran in a young quarterback room, with the 40-year-old having 17 seasons and 191 career starts under his belt.

Meanwhile, Cleveland selected Gabriel and Sanders with third and fifth-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft, respectively. Although Sanders was a Day 3 choice, his preseason debut was encouraging.

He finished 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off, earning praise from Berry on Saturday.

"His growth, really since the spring on, you know, with the mental side of things, having command of the offense, has been real impressive," Berry said (h/t Mark Maske of The Washington Post).

As for Pickett, Cleveland traded a package headlined by a fifth-round draft selection to acquire him from the Philadelphia Eagles in March.

The 27-year-old hasn't been able to suit up in any preseason action due to a hamstring injury, but the former first-round pick is still a possible short-term option for the Browns if Flacco struggles.

It seems likely that all four players won't have to worry about their status when Cleveland trims its roster ahead of the 53-man deadline on Tuesday.