Kevin Stefanski is holding off on naming a starter for the Browns’ preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles this week while rookie Dillon Gabriel and veteran Kenny Pickett inch closer to rejoining the competition to be Cleveland’s QB1.
Fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders generated significant buzz with a two-TD performance in the preseason opener.
Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, and former first-round pick Pickett are limited by hamstring injuries. Gabriel was able to participate in some 11-on-11 drills on Monday, Stefanski said, but Pickett is a bit behind health-wise.
Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards against the Carolina Panthers in a 30-10 win Friday and is in the mix to start this week at Philadelphia.
“I’m not there yet,” Stefanski said Monday of when he’s planning to make the call on this week’s starter.
The Browns did commit to getting Sanders reps in this week’s game, but he could play in the second half depending on which players are available.
As for who will enter the 2025 season as Cleveland’s QB1, Stefanski said he plans to make the determination before the third preseason game on Aug. 23 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Veteran Joe Flacco is considered the most likely starter for the Browns when the regular season begins Sept. 7. Cleveland opens the 2025 season against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
Flacco did not play in the preseason opener.