Cleveland Browns minicamp opens with a QB battle between Joe Flacco and rookie Shedeur Sanders, plus a chilling 'graveyard' warning for opposing QBs.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The pads aren't on yet, but the storylines are already in mid-season form. The Cleveland Browns opened their mandatory three-day minicamp on Tuesday, and all eyes were immediately locked on the quarterback position. With veteran Joe Flacco taking the snaps with the starters and highly-touted rookie Shedeur Sanders making waves from the fourth string, the battle to define the Browns' present and future under center has officially begun.
I hope to add Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to my 'graveyard' of QBs.
While last year's savior Joe Flacco commanded the first-team offense, the real intrigue bubbled further down the depth chart. Shedeur Sanders, the rookie QB seen as a potential franchise cornerstone, may be listed as QB4, but he didn't practice like it, uncorking a beautiful deep touchdown pass that had onlookers buzzing. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized the steep learning curve for any young QB, quoting former coach Gary Kubiak: 'That drop, and those hitches will take you where the ball is supposed to go.' Stefanski's comments highlight the technical focus for Sanders, who is working on everything from his progressions to taking snaps under center—a new world for the rookie.
Despite the flashes of brilliance, Sanders himself is preaching patience. Facing the media, the rookie was candid about his development. 'I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses,' he said, adding he sees his current position as a 'plus.' He acknowledged having 'some misses out there today,' a sign of a young player who is self-aware and focused on the process. For fans eager to see him start, Sanders' mature outlook is a promising sign that he's embracing the opportunity to learn from veterans like Flacco before being thrown into the fire.
The offense wasn't the only unit making noise. Star defensive end Myles Garrett looked sharp in drills and declared that he's aiming for his best season yet in 2025. Never one to shy away from a headline, Garrett also put the AFC on notice, specifically singling out his next target. He told reporters he's hoping to add Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to his infamous 'graveyard' of sacked quarterbacks when the two teams clash this season. It's a bold statement that signals Garrett's immense confidence and sets a terrifying tone for opposing offenses before training camp even begins.
Day one of minicamp set a tantalizing stage for the summer. The quarterback hierarchy is established but fluid, and the team's defensive superstar is already in playoff form. With two more days of practice this week before the team breaks ahead of July's training camp, the key battles for roster spots and starting roles are just heating up. Keep an eye on Sanders' consistency and which other veterans step up to set the tone for the 2025 season.
