The Cleveland Browns open 2025 training camp revealing a historic brown helmet and a fierce 4-way QB battle. Can they improve on their 3-14 2024 season?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Football is back in Berea, and it arrived with a bold new statement. On the same day the Cleveland Browns kicked off their 2025 training camp, the organization dropped a bombshell on Browns Twitter: the first-ever brown helmet in franchise history. Dubbed the 'Alpha Dawg' look, this new alternate uniform is more than just fresh gear; it's a declaration of intent for a team desperate to climb out of last season's 3-14 hole. But while the new look dominated social media, the real work began on the field, where a fierce four-man quarterback competition officially got underway.
I give you permission to make what you want of it.
For the first time ever, the Browns will don brown helmets. The team unveiled the new alternate lid on Wednesday, featuring a matte brown finish, the classic orange-brown-orange triple stripe, and a brown facemask. True to tradition, it remains logo-free. This helmet is the centerpiece of the 'Alpha Dawg' all-brown uniform, set to debut on September 21. 'Alpha Dawg embodies what we set out to be as the Cleveland Browns, the leaders of the pack,' said EVP J.W. Johnson. It’s a visual reset for a franchise hungry for a new identity, though the popular white alternate helmets will also remain in the rotation.
While the uniforms are decided, the most important position on the field is anything but. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that a full-blown, four-man quarterback competition is underway. Throughout the opening week of camp, all four QBs will rotate through reps with the first-team offense. Stefanski was tight-lipped when asked if anyone had an edge, putting the ball squarely in the media's court with his comment on the rotations. His message was clear: the starting job is wide open and will be earned, not given, over the coming weeks.
The post-Nick Chubb era has officially begun, and the search for his successor is another major camp storyline. The focus is on two rookies: Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. However, camp opened with a cloud of uncertainty as Judkins' participation status remains undetermined. While the team waits on Judkins, his fellow rookie Dylan Sampson is already turning heads. Stefanski went out of his way to praise Sampson, calling him 'very conscientious, very intelligent' and highlighting his versatility. How this battle between the two rookies plays out will be critical in shaping the Browns' new-look offense.
A new helmet is a great way to generate excitement, but championships are won on the practice field in July and August. The 'Alpha Dawg' mentality must translate into performance. The coming days will be crucial for sifting through the quarterback rotation and clarifying the running back depth chart. After a dismal 3-14 season, Stefanski's mantra is simple: 'We have a lot of work to do.' For the Browns, the opportunity to get better started today.
