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Could the free-fall drop of Shadeur Sanders be the footballs gods finally blessing the Cleveland Browns. I know it sounds far-fetched, but is it? imagine this: Sanders winning the starting job by week 9 and plays efficeintly for the remaining eight games. That would give the Browns 3+ season of their starting QB on a 5th-round rookie contract (less than $1.5 milion per).

Add to that the insurance cap relief in 2026 for Watson and the final year of Watson's contract, itself. It would give the browns some relief of the 90+ million Watson cap hit that is coming due. This would also free up the Browns to use their two first rounders on playmakers, rather than another qb in '26, sign some needed FA help and start to replenish their roster with good, young talent.

It's true the Watson trade set the Browns back 5 years but if things play out just right...... The gods are throwing the Browns a bone, but will they pick it up? Or will the Browns be the Browns?

Who knows?

The Cowboys were in a tight spot when their franchise QB (Tony Romo) was lost in the preseason. Their 4th rounder, Dak Prescott, came in and took the job from there on.

I suppose it could happen here ...... but who knows?

I think they could possibly be very fortunate with Sanders if something like that was to happen. I think he has a better shot that Gabriel, but I still worry Sanders is too small also. If Sanders was to hit and Dawand Jones shows he is the future left tackle the two 1st round picks next year could be used to really move the needle on the team. Those are both big? so, I am not holding my breath but will be rooting for something like this to happen.

lol yeah right? We’re the Browns. And the football gods are Steeler fans.

I see it as a wild card type player. He probably won't work out, but we were gonna suck anyways, so might as well take a swing

Sanders does have a lot of potential if he learns to process the game faster and improves his arm talent. Problem is he is still a short QB with mediocre arm talent who takes way too long in deciding to pass the ball. I just worry thank picking him up means that we will have a room full of QBs who don't get the reps they need to be ready for the season and all of them suffer for it. Then it cascades into wasting the first round pick we got from Jacksonville, our first round pick, and maybe a future first round pick to move up to take yet another QB in next years draft. It could work out great or end up in disaster. It's the Browns ... which do YOU think it will end up being?

Is none of the above an option? Because that is my choice.

I think we need to figure out which of the 3 younger QBs needs to be cut by the end of TC, and then we'll be good. Ideally, we figure out quick if Pickett can be a contributor or not. I think the bar that he needs to meet is higher (is he starter material or not).

To be clear, I've already kinda given up on this season. Flacco would need to not only pick up where he left off, but also improve slightly in the turnover area and our run game has to return to pre-Chubb-injury levels. That's a lot of ifs to come through for us all in one off-season.

So you’re saying there’s a chance….

More than likely the QB of the future will be drafted next year but this year does offer a few intriguing opportunities that would be quite refreshing for Browns fans if they did play out.

1. If Kenny Pickett did somehow turn into a franchise QB. I do think he has the tools to do what Baker is doing in Tampa. 2 real problems are the Browns do not have receivers like Evans, Godwin, and Ebuka and the AFC Noth is much better than the NFC South. But if he did somehow turn into something it would be a constant black eye on Tomlin and the Steelers. Just thinking about that puts a huge smile on my face.

2. If Shedeur Sanders did turn into a franchise QB. Now I think this is a more likely outcome because he did play at a college that relied on him throwing the ball almost every down. Colorado did not have a running game, their offensive line was below average, and Sanders was a very accurate passer and produced in that situation. I am still skeptical because he is still only 6'1 and most QBs are taller than that and playing in the PAC 12 AND BIG Twelve is much different than playing in the SEC and BIG TEN. There were many rumors the Steelers were going to draft Sanders in the 1st round of the draft. So, if Sanders was to become a franchise QB again it would be a black eye on Tomlin and the Steelers.

3. If Flacco plays most of the season and plays well then, the Browns more than likely returned to 2023 level defense. Had a great run game and a competent QB and had decent success on the field.

4. I do not hold any hope for the other QB. So, if he was to surprise and turn into something then the Browns found lightning in a bottle. A very small bottle.

I'm watching this season to see how certain position groups do. I'm curious how our Oline can bounce back with the scheme change and stay healthy... and as an extension, curious about how our run game improves.

I'm always interested to see how our draftees and 2nd year guys look throughout the year.

I'm interested in seeing a significant improvement in Tillman/WR2. Jeudy was good last year but I want to see the beginnings of some depth at the position as we (hopefully) improve the QB spot.

I'm interested to see our defense continue to evolve and hopefully get a little more attitude. I'm always excited at the prospect of a dominant front. I hope our LB room is up to the task.

We definitely need some help at WR. Hopefully some of the young guys can step up or maybe we can pick up a vet or two when cuts start. I pretty much agree on our WB situation.

For me Flacco is going to take us to the playoffs this year if he stays healthy. None of our other QBs can come even close to his level of play right now. I'm wacco for Flacco! I want to see some good football THIS year. I don't have years to wait for the Browns to get better.

Sanders and Dillon are fighting for the back up role. People are obsessed with them being starters but that is just silly. Where we drafted them if they just become competent backup QBs they they are successful picks. Having good, reliable backup QBs is worth quite a lot. I imagine one stays and one gets traded.

IF either of these young QBs impresses then I can see us NOT taking a QB next year and have one start while the other is the backup. It's not terrible to have 2 young and competent QBs on the roster. Imagine picking up TWO first round wr in next years draft!!! Assuming that there will be some good ones worth taking.

If it was me, I would trade down from both first round picks to try and get ammo to move up in the 2027 draft when the young Manning is likely to declare for the draft. The QBs coming out in 26 seem to be better than the ones that come out this year but it's not like they are hugely better. I would be fine with just giving Sanders and Dillon the 2026 to fight it out. In the meantimes we need to draft some WR and O-line in the 26 draft.

I think a QB would have to really blow the doors off the wall for us to NOT aggressively go after a QB next year.

I am DREADING one or more of these QBs playing just well enough for us to pass on getting a top-tier thrower.

The problem is that rookies usually don't blow the doors off.

I don't disagree. The conundrum is I wouldn't want to draft a QB next year if we already have our QB on the roster. The problem is magnified because we have a young vet and two rookies who might be the guy but we won't give them enough opportunity to show it.

My hope is we don't give Joe a single snap this season. His playing serves no purpose. Yes, he might give us the best chance at winning, but with 3 other QB's on the roster who have something Joe doesn't offer, the ability to play another 10 years, we need to focus on those guys.

I'd be very happy if we don't have to use any 1st rounders on a QB in the next draft.

You and I are saying the same thing(s) about the rookies.

Me personally, I just hope that we can filter out the wheat from the chaff in our QB room sooner rather than later. The absolute WORST thing we can do going into next draft is have uncertainty at the QB position.

j/c

I still have no idea why so many keep talking about the possibility of Sanders becoming a franchise QB while ignoring to mention or consider Gabriel whom the Browns drafted 2 rounds earlier. There is only so much substance in a name.

Because Gabriel was the worst pick in the entire draft. He has 0 chance of ever amounting to anything except a backup QB roll. He is too small and does not possess an NFL caliber arm. The Cleveland area media members that have been to OTA's and mini camp have all said they do not see a future QB watching Gabriel. Those same media members say Sanders looks the part and the ball comes out of his hands like an NFL QB.

The fact Stefanski and Berry choose Gabriel in the 3rd round is enough evidence that is they have a bad season and 2026 will be the draft the Browns select their future franchise QB these 2 should not be making that pick. A good NFL QB they do not know.

So without so much of a down played in so much as preseason you have made that determination?.....................

Sanders didn't take any first-team reps in Wednesday's workout, which was noted by the Cleveland media. That isn't surprising at all. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are the veterans presumably at the top of the depth chart. Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel was drafted in the third round, two rounds before Sanders. Sanders was the only quarterback to not take first-team reps, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. There are only so many practice snaps to go around, and that won't change by July and August. That's why Sanders has challenges ahead of him.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/articl...t-had-some-ota-highlights-204534569.html

So you have made this decision based on guys out there in shorts passing the ball around? Damn son! The FO needs to put you on the payroll!

I watch the Ultimate Cleveland sports show everyday with many insiders and the ones that attended OTA's, and minicamp says just watching Gabriel he does not look like an NFL QB. Zach Jackson of the Athletic who all summer last year said Watson was not looking good at OTA's, Mini camp, training camp etc... has stated this on multiple occasions. He sees Gabriel and says he does not see it. Says Sanders is interesting to him because he looks the part, and the ball comes off his hands like an NFL QB. I do trust what Zach Jackson says. He has been right on many occasions even when I was hoping he was wrong like last summer. These are not the National media that is watching from a mile away this is the Cleveland media that attend every session when the doors are open to them.

So once again, you think they can determine that based on throwing the ball around in short? No pressure, WR's barely defended in no pads? Before even the first padded practices or the first down of preseason has been played?

Trusting what sources say is one thing. Trusting what they say before they have enough evidence to make such a determination is quite another. So it's about how "the ball comes off his hands like an NFL QB"? Okay. And what does "Looks the part" actually mean anyway?

He is too small!!! He has no chance of success.

Key phrase int the sentence. "OTA's". You still don't get it do you?

He was on after the minicamp was open to the media and he still said nothing he saw changed his mind. Here is the thing both QB's will probably never be franchise QB's but a QB under 5"10 will never be a franchise QB. Sanders at least has a chance but he is still under sized also at 6'1. But he at least has potential. Gabriel will never make it. DTR 2.

If local Cleveland sports media is crapping on the guy, then that's probably the strongest indicator that he could BE THE GUY... until bullets start flying for real.

Seriously, Cleveland has the worst, overall, group of local sports reporting in the country. That's my opinion and there's little anyone can do to change it.


I, personally, was not a fan of the Gabriel pick. While I acknowledge that I'm not the most knowledgeable on the college landscape, if I haven't heard of a QB going into the draft then I'm not going to like picking him at a point in the draft where it's still possible to find starter-caliber talent at other positions.

That said, I'm rooting for him now that he's a Brown. I'm not getting my hopes up on him, but that's easy for me to say because I've already sorta written off the season. This last draft was about setting ourselves up to get our QB next offseason.

I don't understand what you see in Sanders. Dude got picked a full 2 rounds after Gabriel... wasn't just the Browns passing on him.

Regarding Gabriel's height, I googled Russell Wilson's & Gabriel height at draft times. They are nearly identical. Gabriel is one pound heavier, same height.

I know that doesn't necessarily correlate but just blowing his chances off because of his height doesn't either.

He mau never be a proven NFL backup, much less starter, but let it play out. Jamarcus Russell and many others had great size and athleticism.

Because for some reason he thinks some sports reporter knows more than the Browns scouting staff and front office does. That's exactly the same thing people were saying when most claimed Sanders would be a first round pick. Then after every GM in the NFL passed on him four times they had to come up with some BS conspiracy theory that the NFL conspired against him. The Song Remains the Same. We live in a world where facts no longer matter.

True, facts no longer matter.....JMHO, as reported???, he felt entitled, I'm a Sanders=first round, then reality hit, his speeding tickets show immaturity....hope he plays well, but his head ain't straight yet.....Gabriel on the other hand, shows "it", he has been a winner at every stop AND HC believes in him....time will tell.

I know this wasn't the point of your post, but I hope that keep Pickett's tendency to look awesome in pre-season and then sputter starting week1 in mind when they start shaking out the depth chart.

I, personally, don't buy that. This is simply my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

I think Berry has a stronger relationship with Philly, seeing as how that was his stop while he was away from here. I think that was probably the biggest reason why that move got done first. Keep in mind, Berry promptly DECLINED Pickett's 5th year option, which will make him a FA after this coming year. That doesn't exactly scream "we got our guy".

It would be much more like screaming they plan to get their guy in next years draft if neither of the low cost experiments of Gabriel and Sanders don't pan out to be solid gold.

My fear is the same as some other posters I've seen. The Browns have set themselves up perfectly to draft a future franchise QB in next years draft in what at his time appears will be a strong QB class. Of course we still have to see how this upcoming college season plays out.

My worry is that one of these rookies plays "just well enough" that it convinces the FO and Haslam not to draft that QB next year. Then that rookie never fully matures and never progresses form there. It would be a blown opportunity they worked hard to get in the position to take advantage of.

I get what you're saying but for me to see one of these rookies take the Browns to the playoffs would mean they get a substantial amount of the starts. The last 10+ games as the starter at least. For me it would take a pretty big body of work to provide any evidence he may be the answer moving forward. As for myself too many times have I seen a backup come in and look great for a while. That's until the opposing teams get enough film on him to diagnose his weaknesses and exploit them. I would hate to see that mistake made here again.

I worry about that as well.

Potential is a funny thing. Often times it's never quite reached. And that to me is the problem.

Could you be somewhat more specific? How many games would it take for you to be convinced one of these two rookies is the answer at the QB position? In your earlier post you said "I would consider the season a success if a rookie quarterback could take the Browns to the playoffs."

That would take a lot of wins. I do agree with you that wins are certainly not the only measuring stick of a QB. But what are some measuring sticks per say would it take to convince you? I mean in terms of passing yardage, scrambling ability, completion percentage, TD to INT ratio and some of those innate abilities we see in great QB's that would indicate the Browns have found the answer?

JMHO, but I don't think we'll see a Browns rookie take the field until week 8. By that time, I believe the Browns will know that Pickett isn't the answer and Flacco is nothing more than a stop gap backup at best. The Browns face the Pats in week 8 followed by a bye and then the Jets in week 10 both on the road which will greatly reduce the pressure on the young signal callers. They then get a challenge with the Ravens at home before going to Vegas for the Raiders. It's the soft spot in the Browns schedule before the brutal 6 game closure to the season.

I think it's imperative that the club gets a good view of all the QB's so they'll either be committed to drafting one in the 1st round next year or not. It's time to stop hmm hawing around.

This team needs to win. If the Browns repeat a 3-win season Stefanski and Berry must go. I like both and agreed with their decision to go for it and try to get a franchise QB. Watson was just that in Houston. He wasn't here. But after these 2 drafted a QB the same size as most midget league QB's I don't want either of these 2 drafting a QB in 2026. Especially a QB in the top 3 picks.

The Browns do have a chance to be really good on defense. I like the run game but hated the decision to not bring back Chubb until Junkins was ready to take over. Now that looks like a colossal mistake. If the run game is not there, then this season can go sideways really fast.

I think Flacco will win the starting job, and I am hoping with a QB that can be competent with a strong defense and run game the team has a chance to repeat some 2023 magic. Any of those 3 phases not executing and the season will go south.

Only hope for Stefanski and Berry at that point is a rookie coming in and looking like a future franchise QB. I think Sanders by size alone has the better opportunity to be successful.

A bad season and no future franchise QB found in 2025 should equal the end of the Stefanski/Berry tenure and the 2 #1's and 1 in top 5 should really help entice another GM Coach combo that can hopefully pick out a decent QB.

My personal opinion is Pickett will start. Flacco is the insurance plan.

Remember how Jacoby Brissett played. That is how I expect Pickett will play. Pickett, like Brissett, will provide good play, nothing great.

As for the rookies, I see neither of them starting. There is no need. Next year's draft will be what it will be.

Let the rookie QBs develop and see what happens.

I hope that the Browns will not be desperate to draft a quarterback next year.

Gabriel and Sanders were not projected to be first-year starters. Let's see where the chips fall.

I was hoping you would have some bar they should reach. Something tangible to support them being worthy of staking the teams future on. Something that would be a gauge to compare to other NFL QB's in order to measure their worthiness. I see that's not the case but thanks for your response.

A third and fifth round shot in the dark was not a legitimate attempt to land a franchise QB. This was a terrible QB draft class and luckily the Browns didn't waste their best draft picks taking a huge gamble. If you're just looking for an excuse to lambaste this FO, you found one. But that's all it is, an excuse. Nobody in their right mind considers Sanders or Gabriel as having good odds of being NFL QB's. A remote possibility sure.

That only works/worked with a run game that scares people. We have ?'s at RB (I don't like counting on rookies to come in and contribute right away, as a rule) and ongoing durability/reliability questions at Oline.

A big part of our run game problem last year was going away from the ZBS that our OL was best at. Ford and Strong are serviceable, but not elite. I’m hoping the Tennessee kid can contribute but he’s not a power back.

Now that we’ve switched to the old blocking scheme, we should have a better run game even without Mr. Fistybeatawoman.

Should have brought back Nick Chubb. Another poor decision.

You may wish to actually wait and see how Chubb plays this year before you break out your crystal balls.

True, but I didn't see us address durability concerns at the tackle position. As talented as our starting tackles are, they're consistently brittle. And I don't think 'serviceable' will cut it if we want to score points with our lineup of QBs.

I guess I'm the wet blanket... we have decent talent on this team, we're just missing a key cog or two.

Fair points you make, oober.