The Cleveland Browns are navigating an unprecedented preseason with four quarterbacks vying for the top spot. This unique situation has led the team to employ creative strategies to distribute practice reps and ensure each player gets a fair shot at proving their worth.

Quarterback Lineup and Practice Dynamics

• Joe Flacco: The 18-year veteran has taken the majority of first-team snaps, bringing experience and stability to the offense.
• Kenny Pickett: A 2022 first-round pick, Pickett has shown resilience despite a recent hamstring injury, rotating with Flacco in leading the starting unit.
• Dillon Gabriel: The 2025 third-round pick has outpaced others in total practice snaps, demonstrating his potential and readiness.
• Shedeur Sanders: The fifth-round pick has led the backup units, focusing on building rapport with the second-team offense.

Injury Challenges and Adjustments

Injuries have played a significant role in shaping the competition:

• Pickett's Hamstring: Limited his participation but has since returned to practice.
• Sanders' Arm Soreness: Caused him to miss team drills temporarily.
• Gabriel's Hamstring Tightness: Led to limited participation, prompting the Browns to sign Tyler Huntley for additional depth.

Creative Rep Distribution

To maximize practice efficiency, the Browns have implemented several innovative methods:

• Two-Spotting: Splitting the offense into two fields to allow more players to participate simultaneously.
• Virtual Walk-Through Room: Equipped with turf floors and interactive screens for immersive film study and play rehearsals.
• Hungry Dawgs Sessions: Post-practice drills providing extra reps for young players and backups.

Coach Stefanski's Perspective

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has emphasized the importance of fairness and ample practice time for each quarterback. He remains cautious about reading too much into early practice rotations, urging patience as the competition unfolds.

Future Prospects and Decisions

The upcoming joint practices with the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, along with preseason games, will be crucial in determining the final QB1. Each quarterback is focused on making the most of their opportunities and minimizing mistakes.

Player Insights

• Kenny Pickett: "You don't know what you're going to get that day. You're just showing up and prepared to play the entire practice."
• Dillon Gabriel: "The moment you're thinking about the reps you don't have, you're not focusing on the reps you do have."
• Shedeur Sanders: "I know I have the utmost standards for myself, and I know all I could do is go out there and do what I got to do every day."

As the Browns continue their training camp, the quarterback competition remains intense, with each player striving to prove they are the right choice to lead the team into the 2025 NFL season.