Browns Confirm Dillon Gabriel Backup, Shedeur Sanders Third QB for 2025 Season

The Cleveland Browns have finalized their quarterback depth chart for the 2025-26 NFL season, naming Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback and Dillon Gabriel as the backup, with Shedeur Sanders serving as the third emergency quarterback. This decision followed the trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, which reduced the Browns' previously crowded quarterback room. Analysts and team insiders widely agree that Gabriel outperformed Sanders during training camp and the preseason, contributing to the choice to place him second on the depth chart. Despite some conspiracy theories about league bias against Sanders, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Gabriel as the primary backup behind the veteran Flacco. Sanders, a fifth-round rookie, is expected to have limited playtime unless unforeseen circumstances arise. The Browns' first game of the season is scheduled against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7, 2025.