The Cleveland Browns face an unusual quarterback competition heading into training camp, with four signal-callers vying for the starting position. Shedeur Sanders, the fifth-round pick, appears to be falling behind in the race.
Former NFL receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh said a team source indicated the competition has narrowed significantly.
“I was told from somebody that’s in the building, that ain’t a player, it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” Houshmandzadeh said.
However, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick believes Joe Flacco will open the season as the starter before giving way to rookie Dillon Gabriel.
“If I was a betting man, Joe Flacco is gonna go into the year as the starter,” Fitzpatrick said. “He has history there, he has success there, and I think it’s a great story. He’s a guy that’ll bring calm, he’s the guy that’s going to be able to get them off on the right foot.”
Fitzpatrick expects Gabriel to take over during the season.
“As the season goes along, when you draft guys early, and when you have young exciting guys, they’re excited for Gabriel, we could see him inserted into the lineup.”
Sanders faces an uphill battle for playing time. Media personality Emmanuel Acho previously referred to Sanders as a “camp body,” suggesting his role might be limited to providing depth during practice.
Pro Football Network’s Mark Stolte believes Cleveland could target South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers in the 2026 draft. That move could signal the end of Sanders’ tenure with the Browns.
“The Cleveland Browns are taking a gamble here on LaNorris Sellers. With all his faults, Sellers still ranked 82nd of 156 in adjusted completion percentage at 74.6% — something neither Josh Allen nor Anthony Richardson even came close to hitting as full-time starters. With a more accurate starting point and that same freak athleticism, the Browns can risk it for the biscuit with a potentially franchise-changing pick,” Stolte wrote.
Sellers enters this season as a Heisman Trophy contender.
A strong junior campaign at South Carolina could boost his draft stock significantly. The Browns are expected to target a franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft class, especially if their current competition doesn’t produce a long-term solution.
