As Browns camp closes in Aug. 2025, injuries to Gabriel, Sanders & Pickett leave Joe Flacco as the last QB standing. Who will start for Cleveland?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The gates at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus have closed to the public for the last time this summer, but the biggest question in Cleveland is more wide open than ever. On the final day of open training camp, the Browns' four-way quarterback battle devolved into a war of attrition, with three of the four contenders nursing injuries, leaving veteran Joe Flacco as the last man standing in terms of perfect attendance. As the team prepares to travel for high-stakes joint practices with the Carolina Panthers, the starting job is anyone's guess.
'I know all I could do is go out there and do what I got to do every day and make as minimal mistakes as possible.' - Shedeur Sanders
The quarterback room looks more like a MASH unit than a depth chart. Rookie Dillon Gabriel, who has flashed significant potential, was limited on Monday with hamstring tightness. Shedeur Sanders returned to the field after missing time with arm soreness, which he attributed to his body adjusting to the NFL grind. Meanwhile, Kenny Pickett remains sidelined with his own hamstring issue, not participating in team drills. The only constant has been Joe Flacco, the veteran who has quietly taken every rep available to him. Coach Kevin Stefanski has a full-blown puzzle on his hands, and the upcoming joint practices will be critical for evaluating who is healthy and poised enough to take control.
Amidst the injury chaos, Shedeur Sanders faced the media, displaying a calm focus that belied the pressure cooker he's in. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the league's speed and the unique spotlight that follows him thanks to his father, Deion. Sanders stressed his personal commitment to excellence and his eagerness for preseason action. 'I know all I could do is go out there and do what I got to do every day and make as minimal mistakes as possible,' he stated, making it clear that despite the outside noise and physical toll, his eyes are firmly on the prize: leading the Cleveland Browns.
Monday marked the end of an era for the 2025 training camp, as the team held its 10th and final session open to the fans. While the QB drama dominated headlines, other players continued to make their case for roster spots. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and safety Nik Needham were notable participants, taking advantage of their reps. The energy was high as the team put on a final show before shifting focus to a new opponent. Now, the evaluation process moves behind closed doors and onto a new field in Carolina, where the intensity will ratchet up significantly.
As the Browns pack their bags for Carolina, the questions loom larger than ever. The controlled environment of Berea is over. The joint practices against the Panthers will be the true crucible, a real-time audition where the pressure is ramped up and the coaching staff will get its clearest look yet at who can lead this team. Will a frontrunner finally emerge from the chaos, or will the quarterback carousel keep spinning into the preseason games? All eyes are on Carolina.
