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Browns' quarterback competition is right where it's supposed to be | The Huddle

The Browns used the offseason program as an early stage of evaluation for the quarterbacks

TheHuddle_QBs_6.13.25

The Browns have officially wrapped up their offseason program with the conclusion of mandatory minicamp. After seeing all four quarterbacks participate in drills, we're nowhere closer to knowing who the starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season will be.

And that's exactly how it should be.

Yes, we tracked reps in the three days of mandatory minicamp, seeing which quarterback took reps in which team period and the order in which they took those reps. We tracked how many reps they each took and even who didn't take reps in certain drills. But for any proclamation about a starting quarterback to come in June – before training camp has taken place – is an unfair assessment of the competition.

While the Browns' quarterback competition has a rare twist – one that features four quarterbacks in Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders – quarterback competitions are a common aspect of the offseason. Take this offseason, as the Saints are also in the midst of a quarterback competition following Derek Carr's retirement. Go back to 2019 with the now-Commanders and their three-quarterback competition. Those competitions began in the offseason program, extended and actively are extending through training camp and the preseason.

This competition for the Browns will do the same.

Get an inside look at the Cleveland Browns' offseason training as players gear up and go through drills during Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said during minicamp that they were in the installation phase of the offseason, which included seven parts. Having the full roster present at practices and in meetings allowed for the opportunity to teach the system and learn all they can about each position group.

"We'll use all these practices like we have for every position to learn about our players and learn what guys do best and those types of things," Stefanski said. "For a wide receiver, want to find out what routes he's comfortable with. For the quarterbacks, find out what concepts they're comfortable with. So that's really what this offseason has been about. Of course, your mentality changes a little bit as you get into training camp."

The Browns strategically set up minicamp to rotate reps for all four quarterbacks. They used the "two-spot" method for a number of drills, structuring those team drills with simultaneous looks to create more reps for all four quarterbacks. In those periods, Flacco and Pickett ran through offensive drills on one field, while Gabriel and Sanders were on another. All four made plays throughout minicamp, connecting with numerous pass-catchers in red-zone drills, throwing deep balls downfield and displaying their ability to make their reads with a level of accuracy.

"It's a great way to maximize, and it's not just one position group that's able to get maximized," offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "You look at young wideouts, young linemen, young skill players across the board that we can get so many reps for now, instead of them just getting the reps from the sideline or mental reps, as coach would say. Now they're actually out there learning on the fly and things come up. You might run the same play on two different fields, get two different defenses, and now you have two opportunities to coach off of."

Get an inside look at the Cleveland Browns' offseason training as players gear up and go through drills during Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

With mandatory minicamp wrapping up on June 12, the Browns and their quarterbacks were pleased with the work they put in during this portion of the offseason. Flacco said OTAs and minicamp were an opportunity for him to get his feel back, having the ball in his hands and going through the reads correctly. Pickett grew more comfortable in the Browns' system with his reps in practice. Rookie quarterbacks Gabriel and Sanders used this time to learn as much as they could about the system and adjust to the NFL.

The six OTA practices and three days of mandatory minicamp accomplished its purpose and serve as just a piece of the puzzle when it comes to the quarterback competition.

The Browns' coaching staff and front office know the traits they are looking for in their quarterback. Rees wants a decision maker who can solve a problem in a critical moment. Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry and Stefanski echo the importance of decision making as well as the value of accuracy. Those traits played a role in the decisions to trade for Pickett, sign Flacco and draft Gabriel and Sanders.

Now, with the film from OTAs and minicamp, and the information still to come in training camp, the Browns will continue to evaluate those traits with the on-field play as they move closer to a decision for their starting quarterback. And when the Browns return in late July for training camp, they will jump fully into preparation for the 2025 season – with the majority of the quarterback competition to take place then.

Get an inside look at the Cleveland Browns' offseason training as players gear up and go through drills during Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

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