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Shedeur Sanders Named 'Odd One Out' As Browns QB1 Battle Intensifies

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated May 28, 2025 6:19 PM ET

As the Cleveland Browns' OTAs roll on, head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff continue to analyze their four-way quarterback battle entering the 2025 season. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are competing against rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders for QB1 duties as Cleveland begins an earnest reboot behind center.

Sanders threw the most touchdowns among the Browns' quarterbacks during Wednesday's practice session. The former Colorado Buffaloes star completed seven of his nine pass attempts for three scores as he tries to muscle his way on to the roster -- which won't be easy, seeing as Sanders slipped to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Browns practice is in the books. Here’s how all 4 QBs stacked up with their throwing reps in team drills pic.twitter.com/NsIZmjQSy3
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 28, 2025

Like other media members in Cleveland, veteran Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot was on-hand at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio to take in the drills. She explained that Sanders didn't get many looks in 11 vs. 11 drills, which she attributed that to the Browns wanting to look at all of their options closely.

"The odd man out in 11-on-11s was Shedeur Sanders," Cabot said from the Browns' facility. "But not too much should be read into that right now, because (the Browns) are switching it up every day."

Cabot and the media did not watch Tuesday's session and will not watch on Thursday either, as those practices are not open to reporters. However, Cabot believes that OTAs so far are unfolding in a predictable way: veterans Flacco and Pickett are handling many of the reps, leaving Sanders with an uphill battle to make the cut in the months ahead.

"The thing to remember here right now is that it's going the way we thought it would go in the early going," Cabot said. "The two veterans (are) really taking center-stage, and the rookies are not getting as many team reps."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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