The 2025 offseason was crucial point for the Cleveland Browns and GM since 2020, Andrew Berry. In March of 2022, Cleveland traded for what was supposed to be their franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson. The move was aggressive, giving up 3 first round draft picks and more to acquire the 3-time Pro Bowler. Although it was a move to solidify the most important position for a franchise that had anything been anything but solid for decades, the looming off-field issues with Watson raised concern amongst fans.
After serving his 11-game suspension in 2023, Watson started slow in his return to the field, but Cleveland’s season was essentially over by the time he found his rhythm. With some optimism heading into the 2024 season, fans expected Watson to return to the player he was in Houston, however struggles continued. In October of 2024, Watson tore his achilles tendon, effectively ending his season. At this point, his future was being questioned, and Cleveland needed to start planning for a future without their underperforming $230 million quarterback.
Fast forward to April 2025. Cleveland holds an abundance of draft capital, and a lackluster season with no QB had the Browns in a favorable draft position. Deshaun Watson would not be ready for the start of the season in September, or potentially the 2025-2026 season as a whole. Cleveland needed to address the QB situation, as the only healthy quarterbacks on the roster were 40 year old Joe Flacco and former 1st round bust Kenny Pickett.
The Browns elected to not draft a QB in round 1 of the draft, and as projected day 1-2 pick Shedeur Sanders continued to fall into day 2, many believed Cleveland was a potential landing spot. However, in the 3rd round, Cleveland surprised a lot of draft experts and selected Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel had a long and solid career in college, but didn’t have many traits that were favorable to an NFL prospect. So Cleveland’s front office liked Gabriel? Fine. There’s been crazier picks in draft history, and taking an experienced QB in the 3rd is not something out of the ordinary… Until day 3 of the draft.
The story of the draft by round 5 was the fall of the polarizing prospect Shadeur Sanders. At this point, Cleveland had selected their QB, and were written off as a landing spot for Sanders. However, with the 144th pick in the draft, Cleveland selected Sanders, making it two QB picks in 3 rounds for the Browns. Fans and experts were shocked at the fall, but even more blown away by the team that took him. Heading into the 2025 season, Cleveland now had 4 potential starting quarterbacks, and the one they paid $230 million was rehabbing.
Gabriel and Sanders are an incredible example of rookie quarterbacks on two different ends of the spectrum play-style wise. Gabriel brings a conservative, technique-driven composure to the position, but lacks elite arm talent and athleticism. Sanders brings a more aggressive play-style, relying on his arm talent and improvisational skills to move the ball, with the occasional poor decision or lack of situational awareness.
This drastic difference in play styles leads to an ideology conflict amongst fans. Throughout all of the conspiracies and rumors regarding coach Kevin Stefanski’s preference of quarterback, I truly think the lack of committal stems from this ideological conflict. Do I want a steady, lower-risk rookie to not be the reason we lose? Or do I want an aggressive, higher-ceiling rookie to give a little and take a little. With the nature of Cleveland’s defense consistently being near the top of the league due to Myles Garrett, you can see why coach Stefanski leaned towards Gabriel early into the 2025 season.
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