SerpApi.Org
As NFL training camps continue to ramp up, few position battles are generating as much intrigue as the Cleveland Browns’ crowded quarterback room. With cutdown day looming later this summer, the Browns face one of the league’s toughest roster decisions, and ESPN insider Adam Schefter doesn’t believe all four quarterbacks will survive the final cut.
Speaking on the latest edition of his podcast, Schefter predicted Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart will look much different by the time the regular season begins.
“Four quarterbacks on the roster right now, and there will not be four quarterbacks when the season starts — I don’t believe,” Schefter said.
“Maybe they could carry all four. … And the headlines of that camp, without question, are going to be: Who wins the starting quarterback job? Is it going to be Deshaun Watson? Is it going to be Shedeur Sanders? Are they going to keep the other two quarterbacks? Could they find a trade partner for Dillon Gabriel?”
Those questions will dominate the Browns’ preseason as coaches evaluate every snap before making one of the franchise’s most significant roster decisions.
Carrying four quarterbacks on a 53-man roster is uncommon in today’s NFL, where every roster spot is valuable. Teams often keep two quarterbacks on the active roster while attempting to stash a developmental player on the practice squad. Keeping four would force Cleveland to sacrifice depth at another position.
That reality makes Schefter’s prediction a logical one.
The biggest storyline remains the competition for the starting job.
Deshaun Watson enters camp looking to re-establish himself after injuries and inconsistent play have limited his impact over the past several seasons. Once considered one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, Watson now faces increasing pressure to prove he can still be the long-term answer in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, rookie Shedeur Sanders has become one of the most talked-about players in camp.
The former Colorado star arrived with enormous expectations after an outstanding college career built on accuracy, confidence, and poise under pressure. Every practice rep, preseason drive, and media appearance is expected to draw significant attention as fans wonder whether he could eventually become the Browns’ future at quarterback.
Another intriguing name in the quarterback room is Dillon Gabriel. The accomplished college quarterback brings extensive experience and could attract interest from quarterback-needy teams if Cleveland decides he isn’t part of its long-term plans. Schefter specifically mentioned the possibility of the Browns exploring a trade rather than risking losing him for nothing.
Trades involving backup quarterbacks often materialize late in the preseason when injuries expose weaknesses around the league. If Gabriel performs well during exhibition games, Cleveland could receive calls from teams looking to strengthen their quarterback depth.
The Browns’ coaching staff will have to balance immediate needs with long-term development. While experience is valuable, keeping younger quarterbacks who possess upside can pay dividends in future seasons. The challenge lies in determining which players provide the greatest value while maintaining enough depth to survive the grind of a 17-game schedule.
Cutdown day has become one of the NFL’s most dramatic annual events, with every franchise forced to trim its roster to 53 players before the regular season begins. Difficult decisions are inevitable, but few teams enter the process with a quarterback situation as fascinating as Cleveland’s.
Whether Watson secures the starting role, Sanders accelerates his rise, or Gabriel becomes trade bait, one thing appears increasingly clear: according to Schefter, the Browns are unlikely to carry four quarterbacks into Week 1. That means one of training camp’s biggest storylines could culminate in a surprising move before the season even kicks off.
