The Cleveland Browns’ decades-long conundrum at the quarterback position persists as the 2025 NFL season approaches.
There’s a wide-open quarterback competition between the four healthy signal-callers on the Browns roster as training camp continues. However, one of those passers suffered a setback near the end of practice on Saturday, July 26.
Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury and will be reevaluated later this week, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report.
Pickett, a former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, struggled in the Steel City. In 25 games over two seasons with the Steelers, he averaged 179 passing yards per game with just 13 touchdowns while tossing 13 interceptions.
He was reportedly off to a strong start at camp with Cleveland before the setback.
With the quarterback battle expected to intensify in the coming weeks, this opens the door for the two rookies to receive more reps.
The team drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Colorado Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Both were presumed to be behind veteran Joe Flacco and Pickett on the depth chart but now may have more opportunities coming their way.
Here’s a look at where the Browns’ quarterback depth chart stands.
Browns QB depth chart
Deshaun Watson
Joe Flacco
Kenny Pickett
Dillon Gabriel
Shedeur Sanders
Watson remains on the roster, but is likely to miss the entire 2025 season after rupturing his right Achilles again in January.
The Browns’ revamped quarterback room is arguably the most intriguing to watch this preseason. The team acquired Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles and signed Flacco ahead of the draft.
The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round to add to the room. Throughout his college career, he played for three different programs but it was in his final year at Oregon that he truly excelled. He spent just one year with the Ducks, but he completed 72.9 percent of passes for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. His performance earned him recognition as a first-team All-American.
Sanders was expected to be an early round selection, but ultimately slid into the fifth round, where Cleveland doubled down at the position. With Pickett sidelined, more opportunities await the polarizing prospect.
Pickett’s untimely injury could make this fascinating competition even more open than many expected.
