Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel OTAs stats prove Browns have a QB problem

Matthew Wadleigh

Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel OTAs stats prove Browns have a QB problem image

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns will be a team to watch as they have arguably the most polarizing quarterback battle in the league. Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco are all fighting for the job as OTAs kick off. 

Going into the OTAs session, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was straightforward in regards to the competition.

"If you're on our roster, you're competing for a role," Stefanski said.

Well, the Browns had another OTA session on Wednesday, and the stats (via ESPN Cleveland) show there is a true competition with both rookies playing well.

  • Joe Flacco: 9-of-14, one touchdown 
  • Shedeur Sanders: 7-of-9, three touchdowns 
  • Kenny Pickett: 9-of-16, no touchdowns 
  • Dillon Gabriel: 11-of-16, two touchdowns, one interception

Sanders threw the fewest passes but had the most touchdowns while Gabriel and Pickett each threw 16 passes. 

Sanders, the former Colorado star who surprisingly slid to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been one to watch early on in Cleveland. LeSean McCoy even compared him to Tom Brady, so there is a ton of buzz regarding Deion Sanders' son early on in his NFL career. 

Many expect Flacco, the veteran signal-caller, to start for the Browns when Week 1 rolls around, which makes sense given their desire to win and bring some sort of excitement to the fan base. 

Then again, some early positives from Gabriel and Sanders might be a sign of things to come in Cleveland, especially with the franchise known for being a revolving door at the QB position. 

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Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.