Among all the sides searching for clarity in their quarterbacking situations in 2025, none have captivated NFL audiences quite like the Browns.
Such is life when Shedeur Sanders is involved. The Colorado alum is a lightning rod for attention of all sorts. His NFL prospects have waxed and waned throughout the preseason. During Cleveland's preseason finale vs. the Rams on Saturday afternoon, they reached an all-time low.
Sanders struggled during his final preseason appearance, falling victim to a bevy of sacks. Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel appear to be the beneficiaries of his toils, with both playing a sizable role in securing a 19-17 win for the Browns.
Here's what you need to know.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Browns QB depth chart
QB Player
1 Joe Flacco
2 Kenny Pickett (injured)
3 Dillon Gabriel
4 Shedeur Sanders
5 Tyler Huntley
PUP Deshaun Watson
Flacco entered the final game of the season as Cleveland's unquestioned starter. Kenny Pickett sits second on the team's official totem pole, though he has been beset by a hamstring issue throughout the preseason.
With Pickett unavailable on Saturday, Dillon Gabriel moved up a spot on the QB depth chart. Gabriel was solid, if unspectacular, in his sole preseason outing in Week 2, completing 13-of-18 passes for 183 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception against the Eagles.
Sanders and Tyler Huntley round out the eclectic group of five. Cleveland's official depth chart lists Gabriel, Sanders, and Huntley as QB3 on the depth chart.
With five QBs on staff, a cull appears likely. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, neither Gabriel nor Sanders is expected to be dealt.
"The feeling right now is they like how Gabriel and Sanders are developing," Fowler said on SportsCenter on Saturday. "I don't expect them to trade either one. They're going to roll through the weekend, see what these guys can do. They like what they're doing."
Fowler posited that the Browns could place Pickett on short-term IR to free up some space for Gabriel and Sanders. That move would give the rookies another four weeks to cement themselves on the depth chart.
With that, here's a look at how Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders all fared in their final preseason match.
MORE: Tracking the Browns' QB battle after second preseason game
Joe Flacco stats vs. Rams
Completions/Attempts: 9/10
Passing yards: 71
Touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 1-9
Flacco put forth a strong display in Cleveland's final preseason fixture. He was efficient during his time on the field, overcoming a first-drive three-and-out to find to lead the Browns into the end zone.
Flacco completed 9-of-10 passes for 71 yards on Saturday afternoon. He added a score via a 15-yard pitch-and-catch with Harold Fannin, ending his day with aplomb.
Flacco threads the needle for the touchdown 🎯
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LNx6v9eXD5
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
Flacco was already named Cleveland's opening day starter. His showing on Saturday afternoon made it easy to see why.
Dillon Gabriel stats vs. Rams
Completions/Attempts: 12/19
Passing yards: 129
Touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 0-0
It took Gabriel some time to find his rhythm, but when he did, Cleveland's offense hummed.
Gabriel went 3-of-8 to start the game, struggling to hit his marks against Los Angeles' second-stringers. A dour display looked to be in the cards, but in the final two minutes of the first half, Gabriel found lightning. He spearheaded an 11-play drive in the quarter's final 1:48, accounting for all 86 yards. He tied up his splendid showcase with a three-yard score to Gage Larvadain.
Dillon Gabriel showing what he can do in the 2-minute drill
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/icjs4sj4gF
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
Gabriel's final line reflected the dichotomous nature of his performance. He finished the day with 12-of-19 passing — 3-of-8 on his first drive, 9-of-11 on his last — for 129 yards and a touchdown. After an uneven day in Week 2, Gabriel returned with a flourish. His fellow first-year hurler couldn't say the same.
Shedeur Sanders stats vs. Rams
Completions/Attempts: 3/6
Passing yards: 14
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 5-41
Sanders endured a nightmarish showing on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year old's pocket presence waned at times during his time with the Buffaloes. He resorted to some ugly habits on Saturday night, absorbing five sacks in five drives. By comparison, Sanders only completed three passes.
Cleveland's offensive line looked lackluster for much of his outing. He didn't necessarily have the best tools at his disposal. But Sanders didn't do himself any favors. He held the ball too long on multiple occasions and struggled with accuracy throughout the day.
Down goes the QB!!
📺 @ABC7 | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdm3XuI pic.twitter.com/qRtP4DYaWR
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 23, 2025
B-JACK SACK!!
📺 @ABC7 | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdm3XuI pic.twitter.com/VcCzcNBBCl
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 23, 2025
Sanders didn't get a lot of chances to flaunt his passing skills. Still, he seemed the most likely candidate to lead Cleveland down the field after Los Angeles took the lead with two minutes left — at least until Stefanski handed the keys to his offense to another passer hoping to lock up a place on the Browns' final roster: Tyler Huntley.
MORE:Why Browns are unlikely to cut Shedeur Sanders despite dismal showing vs. Rams
Tyler Huntley stats vs. Rams
Completions/Attempts: 1/1
Passing yards: 7
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 5-41
Carries: 2
Rushing yards: 8
Huntley surprisingly got the nod for Cleveland's final drive. For a moment, it looked as if Stefanski made the wrong choice; Huntley saw his first pass of the day plucked out of the sky by Cam Lampkin.
Lampkin was adjudged to have committed holding on the play, giving Huntley and the Browns a new lease on life. Huntley took advantage of his second chance, using timely runs to give Cleveland a chance. The Rams also contributed to the yardage; Los Angeles gave out 30 yards worth of free territory on account of its penalties during the drive.
After trotting inside the red zone, Andre Szmyt lined a triple from 37 to send Browns fans home happy. Huntley played his part, contributing seven yards via air and eight yards on the ground in his cameo.