Browns keep QB competition unsettled ahead of second preseason game

The Browns have not named a starting quarterback for the second preseason game despite Sanders starting in the opener.

Browns delay naming starting quarterback ahead of second preseason game

Shedeur Sanders started at quarterback for the Browns in their first preseason game, but coach Kevin Stefanski said he is not ready to name a starter for Saturday's game against the Eagles. Stefanski indicated he is not there yet in deciding a Week 1 starter after this week's contest. The coach also updated the status of two hamstring returnees, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett, with Gabriel cleared for 11-on-11 work and Pickett still progressing.

The Browns will hold joint practices with the Eagles in the coming days and Stefanski said the team will craft a plan for Sanders, Gabriel, Pickett, and Joe Flacco for those sessions. He called the setup a great challenge for all the quarterbacks and a pivotal test in Cleveland's ongoing competition.

By delaying a firm choice, Cleveland keeps options open while testing the players in live practice conditions. The move mirrors a growing trend in the league to treat the quarterback decision as a development path rather than a single moment on game day.

The joint practices against a capable opponent can expose strengths and gaps in each passer, especially with the veteran Flacco as a steadying presence. The outcome will shape how the Browns allocate reps, protect the Week 1 plan, and manage locker room expectations.

Highlights

The next practices could tilt the balance in Cleveland's QB race