**Cleveland Browns Rookie Minicamp: Quarterbacks Gabriel and Sanders Shine**
The Cleveland Browns kicked off their rookie minicamp on Friday, featuring the first on-field appearances of rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel, selected in the third round of the NFL Draft, and Sanders, who experienced an unexpected drop to the fifth round, both took their initial snaps with the team.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that while Gabriel received the first snaps of the day, it’s important not to read too much into this early practice arrangement. “I wouldn’t look into anything,” Stefanski remarked, emphasizing that the entire weekend and the upcoming spring practices will play a crucial role in evaluating the quarterbacks. “We don’t pay too close attention to who’s in that first snap,” he added.
Stefanski expressed satisfaction with both players’ performances but refrained from naming a frontrunner for the starting position in Saturday’s practice. He highlighted that the evaluation process is comprehensive and not solely based on practice reps. “There’s a lot of time between now and September, so we’ll have a plan,” he stated, indicating that the decision will involve multiple factors.
The Browns currently have five quarterbacks on their roster, with no clear starter for Week 1. Deshaun Watson’s status remains uncertain after he re-injured his Achilles tendon in January, following surgery on the same tendon in October 2024. The team has also added Kenny Pickett through a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and signed veteran Joe Flacco to a one-year deal prior to the draft. With the addition of Gabriel and Sanders, the competition for the starting quarterback position is heating up.
As the Browns continue their evaluation process, fans will be eager to see how the quarterback situation unfolds in the coming months.
**FAQ**
*Who are the rookie quarterbacks participating in the Browns minicamp?*
The rookie quarterbacks are Dillon Gabriel, selected in the third round, and Shedeur Sanders, who was picked in the fifth round.
