The Cleveland Browns are reportedly preparing to make a bold move by trading one of their quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The decision comes as the team finds itself with arguably the deepest quarterback room in the league—a situation that, while advantageous in some ways, has created a logjam that the front office appears eager to resolve. With Deshaun Watson recovering from an Achilles injury and four other quarterbacks competing for playing time, Cleveland is looking to trim the excess and bring more clarity to the roster heading into training camp.
Veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco, who helped stabilize the Browns’ offense late in the 2023 season, is currently favored to start Week 1. His poise, experience, and familiarity with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system give him a clear edge, especially with Watson sidelined. However, the Browns also added former Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett during the offseason, and the 2022 first-rounder is expected to push for significant snaps.
Adding to the quarterback congestion are rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel, an Oklahoma product, and Sanders, the highly publicized son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, both bring upside and intrigue to the depth chart. Despite their talent, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the Browns won’t carry five quarterbacks into the regular season, and one—possibly two—may be on the move.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently reported that Cleveland is actively exploring trade options, with Gabriel and Sanders as the most likely candidates to be dealt. The team is reportedly receiving calls from quarterback-needy franchises looking to bolster their depth ahead of training camps. While both rookies have shown flashes of promise, their inexperience makes them the odd men out compared to seasoned options like Flacco and Pickett.
Cleveland’s decision may ultimately hinge on how these young quarterbacks perform in OTAs and preseason action. A strong showing from either Gabriel or Sanders could elevate their trade value or even force the Browns to reconsider their internal pecking order. That said, Shedeur Sanders has faced some criticism regarding his readiness for the NFL, with reports surfacing that he “does not look like an NFL QB” during early workouts. Such reports, however, are likely premature and could be leveraged as motivation or negotiation tactics by teams interested in acquiring him.
For the Browns, the move to trade a quarterback isn’t just about clearing space—it’s strategic. Shedding a young passer could bring back a valuable draft pick or depth at another position, both of which would help balance a roster built to contend in a competitive AFC North. Moreover, the front office likely wants to avoid any lingering quarterback controversies, which could destabilize the locker room or stall the development of the team’s offensive identity.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Cleveland’s quarterback room. Whether it’s Gabriel, Sanders, or even Pickett on the move, the Browns are clearly positioning themselves to streamline their depth chart and reinforce their bid for playoff relevance in 2025.
