The Cleveland Browns are keeping their options open when it comes to their crowded quarterback room, but the team isn’t rushing to part with any of its signal-callers.
The Browns are carrying four quarterbacks heading into training camp: veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, alongside rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. All eyes are on how the team plans to sort out its depth chart and whether one of those quarterbacks could become a trade chip.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com believes the team keeping all four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster is a realistic option, and it would take a compelling trade offer for the team to consider a deal.
“Quarterback is the most important position on the team, and the Browns now have two development prospects in Gabriel and Sanders, with a possible rising veteran in Pickett,” Cabot said in her most recent Q&A column. “If someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse, they’ll listen. But keeping four is definitely within the realm of possibility.”
Browns Open to Keeping Quarterbacks
Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed the team’s quarterback situation during minicamp, speaking openly about the idea of keeping all four passers on the roster.
“Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely… if they all play well enough,” Berry said to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.
Holding on to all four would be an unconventional decision for Cleveland. Berry’s comments could also reflect some early strategic positioning as the team evaluates its choices.
The Browns found themselves in a comparable spot last season, with Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson competing for a backup job behind Deshaun Watson.
Cleveland explored potential trades for one of their quarterbacks but had difficulty finding a partner, as teams knew they were unlikely to keep four. Huntley was eventually released and quickly scooped up by the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns Not in Rush to Make Quarterback Decision
The Browns are still sorting out their depth chart after watching the quarterbacks in OTAs and minicamp. And coach Kevin Stefanski does not sound too eager to establish a pecking order until he has to.
“We’re so far away from that type of thought process,” Stefanski said during minicamp. “Honestly, we’re in our installation phase. It’s the offseason; it’s OTAs, so we’re going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course you’re getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready for playing the season. But right now that’s not our focus.”
The Browns will open training camp in late July, with rookies reporting on July 18 and veterans joining them a few days later. Cleveland begins its preseason schedule on Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.
As part of their preparation, the Browns will hold joint practices with both the Panthers and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. They’ll face the Eagles in their second preseason game on Aug. 16 before closing out the preseason against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 23.
The regular season kicks off Sept. 7 when the Browns host the division rival Cincinnati Bengals.
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