The Cleveland Browns are seeing movement in their four-quarterback battle during training camp, with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel emerging as an early leader in snaps.
Gabriel has taken 38 snaps through Saturday’s practice sessions. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are tied at 34 snaps each, while fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders sits at 31, according to Yahoo Sports’ Sean Leahy.
The former Oregon quarterback also led in team drill reps among the four signal-callers.
ESPN Cleveland’s Daniel Oyefusi views head coach Kevin Stefanski’s snap distribution as significant.
“I kept track of how many sets of team drills each Browns QB received through Week 1 of training camp. I think it will be a good sense of how the staff is prioritizing the QB battle as time goes on,” Oyefusi tweeted.
The snap count distribution could shift as camp progresses. But Gabriel’s early advantage stands out after Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein labeled the rookie a “dark horse option” for the Week 1 starter role.
Gabriel brings extensive college experience to Cleveland. He played 64 games across three programs – UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon – throwing for 18,722 yards with 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.
“Gabriel played 64 college games at three schools, throwing for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions across UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He will have an adjustment period in the NFL. But the Browns allowed him to begin working with more veteran concepts during minicamp because of the rate at which he was progressing,” Epstein wrote.
The Browns coaching staff advanced Gabriel to veteran-level concepts during minicamp based on his learning pace.
“Consider Gabriel a dark-horse option for Week 1 starter and realistic option to take further reins later in the season.
Pickett faces pressure entering his contract year. The 27-year-old quarterback could win the starting job if he proves he’s as ready as Flacco for Week 1 action. Cleveland might prefer investing snaps in a younger player over the 40-year-old Flacco.
Trade possibilities exist for Pickett depending on how the competition develops.
“If Pickett can convince the Browns he’s as ready to thrive in Week 1 as Flacco (or close), he could win that job as the Browns can gain more future upside by investing snaps into a 27-year-old than a 40-year-old. Pickett could also be a candidate for trade bait if Flacco seems healthy and Gabriel is ready for backup duties.”
Sanders remains in an uncertain position among the four quarterbacks. The Colorado product’s snap count puts him slightly behind the competition as training camp continues.
The Browns organization hasn’t announced a timeline for naming their starting quarterback. Training camp will continue to provide evaluation opportunities for all four quarterbacks competing for roster spots and playing time.
