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Browns QB battle tracker: How Shedeur Sanders’ preseason debut impacts chances to make 2025 roster

The Browns have quite the quarterback situation on their hands.

With Deshaun Watson presumably out for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season, Cleveland entered training camp with four healthy quarterbacks: Offseason trade acquisition Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco, and a pair of rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. As camp continued, the Browns added a fifth signal-caller by bringing Tyler Huntley back.

As preseason play began, Sanders and Huntley were the only two quarterbacks available with Cleveland in Charlotte, N.C., to face the Panthers. Sanders earned the start and saw a heavy workload before being spelled by Huntley, who shone in a Browns uniform during the 2024 preseason.

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Cleveland plans to keep four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster when Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season begins. As such, each training camp practice and preseason game is an evaluation period in one of the league’s most fascinating QB competitions. Here is how the performances against Carolina could impact that battle.

MORE SHEDEUR SANDERS:

Browns QB depth chart

The Browns released an unofficial depth chart before signing Huntley on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Here is where each quarterback fell:

QB Player
1 Joe Flacco
2 Kenny Pickett
3 Dillon Gabriel
4 Shedeur Sanders
5 Tyler Huntley
PUP Deshaun Watson

While Sanders was listed as QB4, circumstances resulted in Flacco, Pickett, and Gabriel being unavailable for the preseason opener. As such, Sanders was named the starter in Charlotte and saw a heavy workload over the better part of the game’s first three quarters.

After a rusty start, Sanders certainly helped himself by taking advantage of a short field at the end of the first quarter.

Sanders’ first professional touchdown came after the offense took control of the ball inside the Carolina 10-yard line. He rolled out and found Kaden Davis in the end zone and looked comfortable doing so.

Comfort is an important word to note as Sanders’ comfort increased with time. He was settled in by the end of the first half and shook off second-half rust to lead one final short-field touchdown drive in the third quarter.

Sanders certainly did not hurt himself in the grand scheme of things, and his performance on Friday should inspire confidence in the Browns as they evaluate the other QBs in the room. They’ll likely need to see more from him — as well as the other three more unproven QBs in the room — to judge what they’ve done against opponents in live situations.

After the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said,”I’m pleased with the way Shedeur played. I’m pleased with the way the offense operated tonight — all things moving forward, as we continue to practice will be focused on all of our guys’ development and getting these guys ready to play.”

Stefanski declined to get into the QB competition when asked if Sanders would get more reps with the Browns’ first-team offense.

Huntley assumed the offense late in the third quarter, and his pre-existing familiarity with Cleveland’s offense helped him hit the ground running.

The Browns were up two scores when Huntley took over, but they weren’t necessarily conservative with their offensive approach once he was under center. He added to the tally with a play-action rollout into a fourth-quarter touchdown pass,

MORE: A closer look at the Browns’ QB depth chart as preseason begins

Shedeur Sanders stats

  • Comp/Att: 14-23
  • Yards: 138
  • TD: 2
  • INT: 0
  • Rating: 106.8
  • Rush attempts: 4
  • Rush yards: 19

MORE: Shedeur Sanders’ first chance to separate himself from Browns’ QB fiasco arrives

Shedeur Sanders highlights

The first notable play from Sanders came from him using his legs as he put the quickness on display for a first-down run.

Sanders’ first touchdown pass was a notable play in itself. 

As he settled in, he began to connect with more of his targets down the field.

Running back Luke Floriea deserves some credit here, as he made Sanders look good with an impressive grab.

The Sanders-to-Davis connection is one that Browns fans surely enjoyed during Friday night’s game. 

Tyler Huntley stats

  • Comp/Att: 6-8
  • Yards: 51
  • TD: 1
  • INT: 0
  • Rating: 130.7
  • Rush attempts: 3
  • Rush yards: 13

Tyler Huntley highlights

Huntley didn’t have as many opportunities to make plays, but he did make the most of his time on the field.

The veteran was poised, especially on his lone TD toss.

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