The Cleveland Browns are going into the 2025 season with more options than expected at quarterback. Not only do they have Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco under contract for the 2025 season, but they drafted Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in April.
With all the talent, Cleveland may be on the verge of getting some draft capital back.
Breaking: Browns Already On The Verge Of Huge Quarterback Trade (Report)
May 9, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to the media during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 9, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to the media during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Following the drafts of Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns are considered a team to watch in the quarterback trade market:
After using the No. 94 selection on Gabriel, the Browns surprised many by drafting Sanders in round five at No. 144 overall. Sanders’ stunning draft slide was the biggest story of the 2025 NFL Draft, as he was widely expected to be an early first-round pick.
Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel join a crowded Browns quarterback depth chart featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson. The latter is expected to miss significant time, and potentially all of 2025 after re-tearing his Achilles in January.
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns could trade a quarterback if injuries at the position “happen across the league.” Fowler suggested that the Browns may be keen on recouping a pick after drafting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders:
“Keep this in mind about the Browns’ now-crowded quarterback room: The Browns look at the roster through the prism of value and currency, which at least one source pointed out could lead to an eventual trade if injuries happen across the league. Cleveland gave up a third-rounder and two fifth-rounders for Gabriel, Sanders and veteran Kenny Pickett (via trade with Philadelphia). Perhaps the Browns can get a pick back for one of them.”
May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) waits his turn for a drill during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) waits his turn for a drill during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Browns brought back Flacco on a one-year deal in free agency and acquired Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles for a fifth-round pick. Flacco won 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award honors after leading the Browns to the postseason, but they curiously let him leave in free agency.
Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts and made six starts, though he could not perform the same magic we saw in Cleveland. Pickett won a Super Bowl 59 ring as Jalen Hurts.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Cleveland quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Fans were quick to react to this news:
The right currency
— Nice (@Nicemetax) May 9, 2025
The value for either of those guys is a 2027 6th round pick at best. Even if they ball out in the preseason (which NO ONE cares about except players trying to make the roster)
— LeLorax (@rookington2) May 9, 2025
Like the ole saying says…if you have 5 QBs you have…no…
— Nate (@NateRuns5) May 9, 2025
Sheduer just look like he made to be QB1
— kingopp_chollo (@kingopp_mike) May 9, 2025
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks downfield during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks downfield during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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