The Cleveland Browns just finalized their 53-man roster on Sunday, and get this: they kept *four* quarterbacks. Seriously, four! While that’s wild enough, the real kicker is there’s already buzz that either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders might not even finish the season with the team. An NFL scout told Fox Sports’ Eric Williams that the Browns might be holding onto Gabriel just to flip him for draft picks, kind of like they did with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett last year.
The Quarterback Room Is a Revolving Door
This whole situation is a massive head-scratcher. That same scout even said, “It will be interesting how it unfolds.” Another scenario floating around has Gabriel stepping into the No. 2 spot, which would instantly put Sanders on the trade block. The Browns seem like they are trying to play a serious chess match here, but with so many pieces, it feels more like pure chaos. The scout also mentioned that teams usually want “experience and leadership” at quarterback, but clearly, the Browns are playing a different game right now.
Sanders’ Development Is Under the Microscope
Last year was a wild ride for both these guys. Gabriel played in 10 games, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Pretty solid, right? But then he got a concussion in November. Enter Sanders, who took over and started the rest of the season. Sanders finished the 2025 campaign with 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, but also a whopping 10 interceptions in eight games. Yikes! That’s a lot of turnovers. He spent the offseason battling Deshaun Watson for the starting job but ultimately lost out to the veteran. Meanwhile, Gabriel’s final preseason game was apparently a highlight, with him throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-15 passing. That’s a big boost for his stock, for sure. The scout really hammered home that “All eyes are on Sanders, but he’s gotta show he can be a solid, strong leader and settle down as well to grind, learn and develop.” That’s the cold, hard truth of the league: you only get so many chances.
An Injury Throws a Wrench into Everything
Just when you thought this couldn’t get more complicated, it does. Dillon Gabriel is starting the year on injured reserve after suffering a back injury. So much for any immediate trade plans or clarity! This back injury means whatever direction the Browns decide to go with their quarterback room is probably gonna take a while to actually happen. It’s a waiting game now, and you just know everyone’s watching to see if they stick with four QBs all season, or if a trade, or another injury, forces their hand. This whole thing is a mess that needs to sort itself out ASAP.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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