Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel Reportedly Won't Be Cut by Browns amid Roster Decision

The Cleveland Browns are expected to keep their four best quarterbacks through the NFL's final roster deadline, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"That's their plan right now," Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter.

The NFL insider went on to explain that Kenny Pickett is tentatively the understudy to starter Joe Flacco. Then Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders would follow Pickett.

"I'm told that's sort of the plan that's set in sand as opposed to stone, that's just something they have to put out because they have to list the depth chart on their website, but that is still a little bit fluid," Fowler said. "They got about two weeks of practice time to see who impresses but both rookies will be on the roster, Kenny Pickett as well. You've got Joe Flacco starting. Most teams don't keep four, but the Browns have sort of stayed true to their plan here. The more the merrier in the quarterback room right now."

Sanders is closest to the roster bubble after struggling in a 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He went 3-of-8 for 14 yards and was sacked five times. Tyler Huntley came into the game for Cleveland's game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

Sanders said after the game he "obviously" believes he'll make the team.

"I think, overall as a player, I've put in the work," he said. "I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best and that's all I can ask for.

"I feel like everybody feels like they should be on the team. If you ask anybody on the team, would they feel like they belong — they belong in their own eyes. I feel like I do, but I'm my own player. I think about myself in a high regard, of course. It's not my decision."

Ahead of the Browns' preseason finale, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the signs were pointing toward Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders all earning roster spots.

Garafolo noted Cleveland did the same thing to open the 2024 season. Tyler Huntley, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston made the cut for the 53-man squad.

During Saturday's local broadcast, general manager Andrew Berry effectively tipped his hand when he said rostering Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders is "not much of a decision" (via ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi). The GM believes they "have a room that we like all the guys in there."

While Flacco is QB1 for now, there's a good chance head coach Kevin Stefanski makes a change at some point. The 2017 season is the last time Flacco started double-digit games.

Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders are likely to have an opportunity to show they're a viable long-term solution under center.