BEREA, Ohio — Scribbles in my notebook after Wednesday’s Browns OTA:
1, The best QB on the field was … Joe Flacco. That should not be a surprise. Flacco has played forever. He also was the only Browns QB present who was in coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense before this spring. This is not to say Flacco should start opening day. Opening with Flacco may not be a bad idea, given the rugged early schedule. But it is to say that at the age of 40, Flacco remains a viable NFL QB.
2. It’s so hard to judge players in these workouts. It’s basically touch football. Since there is no real hitting, it’s difficult to draw conclusions about linemen and even running backs. What you can see is how the QBs are throwing the ball. You can see receivers catching passes and defensive backs defending them.
3. Making it even more challenging is the media is present only one day a week. We don’t know what happens at the other practices. This was the first time I was at a workout. I talked to several media members who told me that rookie Dillon Gabriel had played reasonably well. But Wednesday, the Oregon product missed some open receivers. He rolled out to his left, then threw back across his body into several defenders in the middle of the field for an interception. He completed some nice, short throws on crossing routes. But overall, he was underwhelming.
4. What does that mean for the future of the third-round pick? Not much. He had a bad day, period.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, June 4, 2025
Joe Flacco's experience shows during the Browns practices. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
5. The Browns were using rookie Quinshon Judkins to catch passes coming out of the field. A top Browns official told me right after the draft that the team believed Judkins can be very effective as a receiver coming from his running back spot. Wednesday showed that promise. Judkins caught 22 passes in each of his last two college seasons.
6. As for Kenny Pickett, the veteran was so-so. Nothing terrible. Nothing special. That’s the one day that I watched him. But in terms of comfort level with the system, he was not close to Flacco. That’s also not surprising.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, June 4, 2025
Shedeur Sanders had a very good day in Wednesday practice and he has been improving during the spring. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
7. I know, what about Shedeur Sanders? Some people will read this and immediately want the QB from Colorado to start opening day. Please, be rational. Why send out any rookie QB to open the season vs. Cleveland’s first six opponents who had a combined 71-31 record in 2024? The worst team on the schedule is Cincinnati (9-8 in 2024). That six-game stretch is a way to set up any rookie for failure as he opens his first pro season.
8. That said, Sanders made some excellent short and medium throws. He was accurate. He was mostly decisive. He showed solid arm strength. Talking to others who have seen all the media available workouts, they said Sanders has been improving.
9. But let me repeat, because this fact seems to elude some fans and media members: The Browns were 3-14 last season. They open 2025 vs. six teams with a combined 71-31 record. What do you think will happen to any rookie QB in that situation? What is the rush? Gabriel and Sanders both are on four-year contracts. Gabriel was a third-round pick, Sanders was a fifth-round selection. These are projects with promise, not designated phenoms – regardless of their hype coming out of college.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, May 28, 2025
In Wednesday's practice, Dillon Gabriel had an underwhelming performance. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
10. Sanders had a few problems. He went to execute a handoff to a running back and fell down. He dropped back to pass, felt the rush … and then ran back another 10 yards before ending up taking a sack. Some people who have watched Sanders in the workouts said he sometimes has “happy feet,” meaning he leaves the pocket early. Even worse, he tends to run backward … something he did in college.
11. Sanders is a rookie. A fifth-round rookie. He is in a good spot with a coach in Stefanski who has developed some QBs. He has Flacco to watch in terms of how a veteran prepares for practices and games. The same is true of Gabriel. Flacco is there to compete for the starting job, but offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and others with the Browns said Flacco has been very open about sharing what he knows.
12. The good part is the QBs have some talent. Stefanski and the coaches have two guys for now (Flacco and Pickett) and two for later (Gabriel and Sanders). They are covered if one of the QBs has an injury in training camp. Sanders has promise. So does Gabriel, based on what others have seen from him. But please, realize patience is needed before putting either rookie into the heat of the early NFL season.