Heading into the 2025 NFL season, all eyes are on Kevin Stefanski as he faces the challenging decision of choosing a starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. With a plethora of options ranging from rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to veterans Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco, Stefanski finds himself in an unprecedented situation for a franchise that has struggled to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position for the past 25 years.
The Browns’ head coach will have to carefully navigate through training camp and preseason to determine the right fit for his team. While Dillon Gabriel was selected before Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, Stefanski has emphasized that the order in which they take snaps during practice does not necessarily indicate a pecking order.
Stefanski stated, “I wouldn’t look into anything. I think you’ll see the whole weekend going through the spring. We don’t pay too close attention to who’s in there first.”
Despite the focus on the rookies, it is likely that one of the veteran quarterbacks will ultimately be chosen as the starter for the upcoming season. Deshaun Watson, despite his high salary, is coming off a season-ending injury and a period of poor performance. Joe Flacco, who won the Comeback Player of the Year award in Cleveland last season, has proven to be a good fit with Stefanski’s coaching style.
Kenny Pickett, a former starter for the Steelers and a recent Super Bowl champion with the Eagles, is also a strong contender for the starting role. As of now, Gabriel and Sanders are not necessarily competing for the starting job but rather vying to secure a spot on a roster that is already well-equipped in the quarterback position.
It is possible that preseason performances could lead to one of the rookie quarterbacks being traded to a team in need of a quarterback, providing Cleveland with additional draft picks. However, with the season still in its early stages, nothing is set in stone.
In conclusion, Kevin Stefanski faces a challenging decision in selecting the Browns’ starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season. With a mix of rookies and veterans vying for the position, Stefanski will need to carefully evaluate his options to ensure the success of the team moving forward.
