Cleveland Browns' 2024 camp opens with a 4-way QB battle. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders & Dillon Gabriel compete for the starting job. Who will win?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The quiet of the offseason is officially over. Veterans reported to Berea on Tuesday, and with them came the question that will dominate every conversation from now until Week 1: Who is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns? The battle lines are drawn in a fascinating four-way race between 18-year veteran Joe Flacco, former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, and a pair of electrifying rookies, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Shedeur Sanders, who set an NCAA record with a touchdown pass in 29 consecutive games at Colorado, is now at the center of an NFL-level debate over his throwing mechanics before he's even played a snap.
While head coach Kevin Stefanski has tabbed the steady-handed Joe Flacco as the early favorite for first-team reps, the rookies are wasting no time making their presence felt. The team's social media lit up with clips of Dillon Gabriel connecting with Ahmani Marshall and, most notably, Shedeur Sanders finding fellow rookie Luke Floriea. That Sanders throw has become an instant talking point, amassing nearly 400,000 views and sparking a league-wide debate about his habit of patting the ball before release. While players like Darius Slayton defended the motion, stars like Micah Parsons voiced skepticism. With the team unlikely to carry four QBs on the final roster, this competition is about more than just a starting job; it's a high-stakes audition.
For the first time in years, the Browns' backfield is a land of opportunity. Following Nick Chubb's departure to Houston, the team is tasked with replacing a franchise icon. The front office's answer came in the draft with Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson. The competition for the lead back role is expected to be fierce, with Sampson already turning heads with his versatility. Coaches are using the speedy rookie as both a traditional running back and a receiver out of the backfield, signaling a potential shift in offensive philosophy. The post-Chubb era has begun, and a new rushing leader must emerge.
The pressure isn't just on the new quarterbacks and running backs; it's on the entire rookie class to contribute immediately. Top-5 pick Mason Graham is expected to be an anchor on the defensive line, while Sanders and Sampson are being counted on to compete for starting roles from day one. Analysts have pointed to this draft class as pivotal for the team's future, and with so many key positions in transition, these young players won't have the luxury of a long learning curve. Their performance in camp will be a critical indicator of the team's direction.
While the on-field battles take center stage, the franchise's long-term future is also being shaped. The Browns are preparing to move to a new stadium in Brook Park in 2029, and discussions are underway with the City of Cleveland regarding the demolition and redevelopment of the current Huntington Bank Stadium site. The team's expressed willingness to collaborate on the future of the downtown lakefront signals a major off-field transition running parallel to the one happening on the roster.
With veterans and rookies now on the field together, the real evaluations begin. Every throw, every carry, and every rep will be scrutinized. The quarterback battle may be grabbing the headlines, but from the backfield to the defensive line, a new-look Browns team is taking shape. The coming weeks in Berea will determine not just the 2025 starters, but the very foundation of the franchise for years to come.
