The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has drawn more attention than any other in the NFL this preseason, as the team keeps four signal-callers in rotation on the active roster. With veteran Joe Flacco already named the Week 1 starter, the hotly contested No. 3 quarterback job between rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders remains the focal point of a busy quarterback room.
The Browns have been careful with both rookies in the first three exhibitions, each getting a look due to injuries rather than design. The No. 2 spot on the depth chart is listed for Kenny Pickett, adding another layer to a position battle that could ripple through the team’s plans as the regular season approaches.
Through three weeks of the preseason, Sanders and Gabriel have both flashed distinct strengths. Sanders finished the slate with 17 completions on 29 attempts for 152 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and zero fumbles. He added four rushing attempts for 19 yards, even as he absorbed seven sacks across the series. In Week 3 against the Rams, Sanders went 3 of 6 for 14 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, no rushing yardage, and five sacks noted in that game.
Gabriel’s numbers show solid accuracy and efficiency, posting 25 completions on 37 attempts for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also had one lost fumble and logged one rushing yard on two carries, along with two sacks across the three games. Week 3 stats for Gabriel were not listed in the available summary, leaving his performance specifics in that game less clear than Sanders’.
The competition remains intriguing because the Browns are weighing not just Week 1 readiness but longer-term development. Flacco’s veteran presence provides a stabilizing edge, while Gabriel and Sanders represent different stylistic fits and development timelines. How the team balances practice reps, game readiness, and potential future assets will likely influence roster decisions beyond the preseason.
What to watch next
– How the Browns allocate practice reps between the two rookies as the season nears.
– Any changes to the depth chart that might reveal a preferred developmental path for the No. 3 quarterback.
– How injuries and game plans in remaining exhibitions affect each quarterback’s standing.
Summary: The Browns’ No. 3 quarterback race between Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders has been the most compelling storyline of their preseason, with three weeks of mixed results, a veteran presence in Flacco, and a clock ticking toward final roster decisions. The outcome will shape not only the depth at quarterback but also the team’s approach to developing young talent behind Flacco. A hopeful note for Browns fans: the competition underscores real depth at a critical position and the potential for one of these rookies to grow into a valuable contributor down the line.