The Cleveland Browns' loaded quarterback depth chart will begin to take shape over the coming weeks and into the summer when training camp starts. There is a hierarchy initially that has fans confident in what they should expect.
Usual starter Deshaun Watson could miss all of 2025 with an Achilles injury, leaving Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett who have the edge over the two rookies. Flacco, the fan favorite, will likely to command the starting job come Week 1.
But the competition between the rookies for positioning further down the lineup garners more interest. Shedeur Sanders' high profile helps in that case, but he will have to earn his way onto the roster.
If that was difficult to recognize on draft day, the Browns made that abundantly clear at rookie minicamp this week. Fellow rookie, drafted two rounds ahead of Sanders, took priority reps under center Friday.
The polarizing Sanders has folks on both sides of the spectrum reading the tea leaves as to what this means. But Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made it abundantly clear that there is no rhyme or reason to that occurrence.
"Yeah I wouldn't look into it as anything." Stefanski said. "I think you'll see the whole weekend, going through the spring. We don't pay too much attention to who is going first."
Clearly, Stefanski has no interest in playing into the controversy narrative, especially after seeing these players for only one day on the field. Unfortunately, factoring Sanders into the equation makes that a reality of his job at this point.
Sanders was supposed to hear his name called before Gabriel though the latter went first. From that perspective, it makes sense that Gabriel takes some precedent.
At its core, this is a battle for the team's third string quarterback. Whoever separates from the other could have a future with the franchise, especially in Sanders' case.
But this specific battle is low on the list of items for Stefanski to work through as he prepares his team for the 2025 season.