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Kevin Stefanski plans to name starting quarterback ahead of preseason Week 3 | News & Notes

Browns will use final week of the preseason as a dress rehearsal for Week 1

News&Notes_8.17.25

The Browns returned home following their 22-13 win over the Eagles in the second week of the preseason and will close out the preseason with one final matchup against the Rams at Huntington Bank Field.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said they will treat the week heading to the Week 3 matchup with a regular season schedule, giving the players a normal game plan in preparation for the game on Aug. 23.

"We will do more competitive periods than we would say in the regular season," Stefanski said. "So, we'll do plenty of Browns versus Browns in practice, as well as introducing carded periods where we'll be simulating the Rams' offense and defense. So big week for the football team."

Here are the main pieces of news and notes heading into the final week of the preseason.

Starting QB to be named

As the Browns approach the preseason Week 3 as a dress rehearsal for the season opener against the Bengals on Sept. 7, there will soon be a decision on who will be named the starting quarterback.

"We're working towards Week 1," Stefanski said. "That's part of what this week is about, getting our football team ready. So, we'll make all those types of determinations in the next couple of days."

Through the first two weeks of the preseason, the rookies have started both preseason games. QB Shedeur Sanders started Week 1 against the Panthers before he sustained an oblique strain early in the first joint practice with the Eagles. He did not practice in the second practice or play in the second preseason game.

QB Dillon Gabriel, who missed the first preseason game with a hamstring injury, returned to start Week 2 against the Eagles.

QB Joe Flacco has taken a majority of the first team reps in team drills in joint practices with the Panthers and the Eagles but did not take the field in either preseason game. QB Kenny Pickett, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since July 26, has participated in 7-on-7 drills during practices, but has not taken reps in 11-on-11s since the injury.

Stefanski said he is hopeful Pickett and Sanders will be able to increase their level of participation in practice this week, but they are taking each injury day by day.

As the Browns approach an official decision on the Week 1 starter, Stefanski said he has been pleased with the quarterback room and how they have worked and pushed one another to become better. He's noted through different moments in practice and in games how they are each improving, seeing the work that they have put in dating back to April come to fruition.

But that work doesn't stop with the initial decision. They will continue to focus on developing their quarterbacks and preparing them to take the field – both in practice and on game day.

"We will name a starter. It's going to come this week," Stefanski said. "We still anticipate all of our players, whether you're a starter or not, to prepare like you're the starter. Knowing all of our players in that room, that's exactly what they'll do."

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2025 Preseason Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, featuring top plays and moments.

Resting rookies in Week 2 vs. Eagles

While a number of young players saw game action in Week 2 against the Eagles, there were also a handful of players that did not – including rookies DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Dylan Sampson and TE Harold Fannin Jr.

Stefanski explained that all five of those rookies played in the first preseason game against the Panthers, as well as participated in the joint practice with Carolina. They also each took meaningful reps in the two joint practices with the Eagles, facing starters for the Eagles on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

"We felt like they got a lot of good work and a lot of plays," Stefanski said. "We were intentional about how many plays they got in Philly, knowing that that would be the plan. But those are all guys that you'll see out there this week."

Playing Dawand Jones and Cedric Tillman in Week 2

On the flip side of players resting, two players who started in Week 2 against the Eagles were LT Dawand Jones and WR Cedric Tillman.

Stefanski explained the thought process during the preseason for whether players sit or play, is individualized for the needs of that specific player. For Tillman, Stefanski wanted to give him those game reps after missing the last six games of the 2024 season with a concussion.

During the 2025 offseason, Jones made the switch from right tackle to left tackle, and has used OTAs, minicamp and training camp to take necessary reps at left tackle. Stefanski wanted to continue to give Jones those reps in a game setting as they approach the beginning of the regular season.

"Obviously playing left tackle has not had as much work as playing right tackle, so felt like he should get some work," Stefanski said. "And we'll continue to get work throughout these practices and the games. You're also getting a ton of work in those joint practices. So, all of it is valuable and all of it is with the goal in mind of getting those guys ready for Sept. 7."

Check out photos of Browns players warming up before their 2025 Preseason Week 2 matchup against the Eagles.

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