Perhaps the biggest question mark for the 2025 Cleveland Browns is who will start at quarterback? Andrew Berry didn’t waste draft capital on guys like Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to watch them sit on the bench, but he’s also at a crucial point where he must be smart.
The Kevin Stefanski system will be as quarterback-friendly as any in the NFL, but most can’t comprehend how much faster the game is in the NFL compared to college. I’ve said for weeks I believe that Joe Flacco will be the week one starter, but one Cleveland Radio host believes he is hearing and seeing something different.
The Browns reportedly put more on Dillon Gabriel’s in OTAs and minicamp than they originally planned.
“I’m telling you that I believe that Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are the two guys that I’d be looking at right now to start,” – @TheRealTRizzo. pic.twitter.com/0CVfwosBKA
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 21, 2025
Tony Rizzo, a respected broadcaster in the Cleveland area thinks it’s down to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel to land the starting job. Remember, Berry gave up a sixth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson for Pickett, and he reached for Gabriel in round three of the 2025 NFL draft when many had him going in round four or even five.
Pickett fits the Bery mold to a T. Former first-round pick with a high ceiling and was able to pick him up for pennies on the dollar. Berry has used this tact numerous times but has had a low success rate on hits.
Gabriel also has many of the skillsets that it takes to be an accurate NFL quarterback, but is said that he is too short to be any good. Accuracy, arm-strength, and mobility are all strengths and it’s not surprising that Berry thinks he could be successful in the Stefanski system.
But what really sealed the deal on Gabriel is what they got between the ears. They have been “blown away” by how fast he processes reads and how quickly he has picked up the game at the NFL level.
I’d still be shocked to see the Browns throw a rookie out under center in week one, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t get a ton of action with the No. 2 team in the preseason.
