BEREA, Ohio – The focus has been on Shedeur Sanders since the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft last month, following a surprising fall of the Colorado star quarterback to the third day.
However, when the Browns broke the huddle for the first play of team drills at rookie minicamp on Friday, it was third-round pick Dillon Gabriel who took the first six snaps, instead of Sanders. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed this, saying the quarterback competition in Cleveland will be a “comprehensive evaluation” over the coming months.
Stefanski said after the Browns’ rookie minicamp’s first practice. “I think you’ll see throughout the weekend, throughout the spring, that we don’t pay too much attention to who’s first.”I wouldn’t focus on anything, really.
Kevin Stefanski
Friday marked the first NFL practice for both Gabriel and Sanders. The two alternated around three dozen passes in individual drills before throwing to receivers and then moving on to 11-on-11 drills, followed by 7-on-7 drills.
They were as expected.
Kevin Stefanski
“I thought both guys did a really good job, and there’s a lot to work on. It’s the thoroughness of the position. It’s some technique things. The operation needs to improve. All those things, that’s why we’re here. That’s why we’re going to work really hard over the next few days to prepare these guys for when the veterans join on Monday.”
After enjoying successful college careers, Gabriel, a standout at Oregon, Oklahoma, and UCF, and Sanders join a crowded group of quarterbacks that also includes veterans Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Flacco and Pickett have been participating in the team’s offseason training program. Watson, who is expected to miss most of the season with a right Achilles tendon injury, continues his rehabilitation process.
When asked if a decision has been made on who will take first-team reps in practice when OTAs begin, Stefanski said the team will “work through that,” but again cautioned against drawing drastic conclusions.
There are many repetitions.
Kevin Stefanski
“There’s a lot of time between now and September, so we’ll have a plan. But it’s a comprehensive assessment.”
