- NFL. Browns' Deshaun Watson in Miami for bachelor party while Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland QBs compete for starting job
- NFL. Joe Flacco exchanges words with Shedeur Sanders in the middle of the field as teammates watch closely during Browns practice
Day 2 of the Cleveland Browns' minicamp has come and gone, and the competition for the starting quarterback position remains wide open as the team prepares for their season opener against the Bengals on September 7. Head coach Kevin Stefanski isn't ready to name his guy just yet, but these early practices are giving him an up-close view of the strengths and weaknesses of his four contenders: veteran Joe Flacco, rookie Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett. Pickett has a slight edge in my opinion, thanks to his NFL starting experience and youthful energy. The Browns are desperate to find stability at the quarterback position, with reporters buzzing about Sanders's effort and focus despite being stuck with the second team, it's clear that this competition is far from over.
Sanders Pulls Off a Mahomes-Like Move
A viral video from minicamp has everyone talking: Shedeur Sanders dodging defenders as if he were auditioning for an action movie. Under heavy pressure, he slipped out of trouble with poise and showed off the kind of moves that had some folks whispering, "Patrick Mahomes." Okay, slow down-it's just one play, and Sanders isn't the Chiefs' superstar (not yet, anyway).
But it's hard to ignore what we've seen from him at Colorado. The guy can run, and he's the best at using his legs among this QB group. Stefanski won't overlook that. As for Mahomes, he isn't a run-first quarterback like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but his ability to turn broken plays into successes is what sets him apart. Sanders flashing that kind of potential? That's got to excite Browns fans.
By the Numbers: Sanders Stands Out
Here's how the quarterbacks stack up after two days of minicamp:
- Joe Flacco: 3/7, one touchdown (sat out Day 1 throwing)
- Shedeur Sanders: 18/21 (85.71% completion!), three touchdowns
- Kenny Pickett: 12/21, four touchdowns (three on Day 2)
- Dillon Gabriel: 16/34, three touchdowns
Sanders is lighting it up with pinpoint accuracy, even without first-team reps. Pickett is piling up touchdowns, but his completion rate isn't as high. Flacco and Gabriel are holding their own, but Sanders is stealing the show so far. Of course, it's a small sample size, and facing the second-team defense isn't the same as battling the starters. Still, what counts is excelling where you are.
Stefanski is probably holding off on a decision until August, after the preseason games shake things out. All four have a shot, but the winner has a tough road ahead, especially given the Browns' track record at quarterback. Since 1999, they've cycled through 40 different starters-that's right, 40. Last year alone, they used four, none of whom are back (not even Deshaun Watson). Only Tim Couch in 2001 and Baker Mayfield in 2019 and 2020 have lasted a full season. With a brutal early schedule-the Bengals, Ravens, Packers, and Lions are all playoff-caliber teams-a slow start could mean another midseason shuffle.