The Kevin Stefanski-coached Cleveland Browns have a four-man quarterback competition heading into June’s minicamp.
Veteran Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are competing for the starting spot. Flacco is considered the frontrunner because of his knowledge of the team’s offense, but Pickett hasn’t gotten much consideration for his performances.
Sanders and Gabriel both showed flashes and could surpass Flacco at some point if they continue to impress the coaching staff. Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, has also gained considerable attention from fans, who once doubted his ability to play at a professional level after he was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round on day three of Aprils NFL draft with the 144th overall pick
Furthermore, by the end of one day of OTAs, he threw for three touchdowns and completed seven of his nine passes. However, Stefanski and the coaching staff went in a different direction by having him take fewer reps with the backups instead of the starters, which has puzzled fans and former coaches.
This hype train in Cleveland is so ridiculous right now,” former Browns head coach Eric Mangini (2009-10) said. “It exploded the second he got here. Stefanski [is] trying to tamper it down.”
Despite the strong response from Mangini, Sanders doesn’t seem bothered by the situation and instead has prioritized taking action and making the best out of the opportunity to one day earn Stefanski’s trust to practice alongside the starters and possibly surpass Flacco by the end of the summer and start of the regular season.
