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What They're Saying

Panthers looking forward to playing against Browns' quarterbacks | What They're Saying 

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The Browns and Panthers will kick off the preseason with their matchup on Aug. 8, and the Panthers are eager to face one or more of the Browns' quarterbacks.

None of the healthy quarterbacks for Friday were on their respective rosters the last time Cleveland and Carolina faced one another. The two teams last played in 2022, when the Browns beat the Panthers 26-24 in Week One of the regular season. Therefore, Friday night will not only be a new experience for some players on both rosters, but also an opportunity for the quarterbacks to prove themselves.

Despite some players having a new experience, both head coaches understand the way one another operates. Panthers head coach Dave Canales recalled when he first met Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski 15 years ago, when they were quality control coaches under Darrell Bevell in Miami.

Fast forward to 2025, and they are each head coaches of two NFL teams. Ahead of the season, they coordinated a joint practice to give their respective teams a chance to practice against an opposing team ahead of the first preseason game.

"I can't dream of a better situation or a better scenario to have that kind of competition but also be able to respect each other," Canales said. "So, just really a tribute to Kevin and the Browns coming in here and getting some good work in."

Panthers QB Bryce Young got his first look at the Browns' defense in Wednesday's joint practice during both 7-on-7 and team drills. Young said he is looking forward to competing against a different team in the Browns in a game setting.

"You get familiar with who you're going against," Young said. "You get familiar with matchups. When you come in against a team that you're not familiar with, you don't know what's gonna come, it's good to see what our natural reactions are. I think it's just a great learning experience for all of us."

Yet, when he takes the field for the first game of the preseason, Young will also know a familiar face at the helm of the Browns' offense – Shedeur Sanders . When Young and Sanders were younger, they attended some of the same football camps and their paths crossed.

"(Sanders) has had a ton of success his entire life," Young said. "The reason he's here is because he knows how to get here."

Defensively, S Tre'von Moehrig is prepared for multiple options at quarterback. He is keeping his focus on playing football, regardless of who lines up under center. The Panthers' defense will see two of the Browns' quarterbacks, as Stefanski announced Sanders will start the first preseason game, and said QB Tyler Huntley will also see playing time.

"I think it'll be fun," Moehrig said. "I think any quarterback would be the same way. We treat them the same way. But I don't know what to expect, we'll see when we get there. I don't want to put too many things on the table that we're going to do, but we'll see. We'll have fun and it'll be an exciting game."

Check out the top shots from Day 11 of 2025 Browns Training Camp as players got to work with drills, workouts and team prep in Charlotte

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