Going for Dillon Gabriel before Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, HC Kevin Stefanski and the Browns claimed they knew what they’re doing. With the Oregon alum, they got a dynamic QB with proven adaptability over the three college football programs, consistency, and leadership. Off the gridiron, for almost all the interviewers at the Combine, he was the most elite prospect, knowing how to amuse everyone despite his given size disadvantage.

On the other hand, was Shedeur Sanders. Despite initially being considered a top 5 prospect, his lack of leadership skills and not-so-great interviews did not give him any advantage. In fact, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot even claimed his tendency to create “negative plays” over his final season at Colorado also put him in a bad position to slip to a 114th pick. Still, back in the OTAs, Sanders outperformed the entire QB room in Cleveland, completing 7 of 9 passes for 3 TDs. At the same time, Gabriel couldn’t really prove himself with 11 of 16 completions for 2 TDs and an interception and the pattern continued over the minicamp. Still, a third-round pick is usually low risk, high ceiling potential.

So, Mike Renner recently claimed his pick entering Week-1 at the position and it wasn’t the veteran Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett. “I’m going with Dillon Gabriel. The guy is experienced, the most experienced quarterback to ever hit the NFL. More starts in college football than anyone in college football history. I do just think his game is ready for the NFL, even if his ceiling may not be that high.” However, so far, the 94th overall pick has been disappointing for a player who came in with high hopes and Aditi Kinkhabwala is not on board.

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Appearing on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show this Friday, Kinkhabwala gave her honest take. Host Reggie Bush asked, “Who do you think will win the Cleveland Browns quarterback battle and why?” Kinkhabwala responded, “Well, I don’t think it’s a four-man race. It’s a Joe Flacco-Kenny Pickett race to me. Shedeur Sanders still has a lot of growing up to do, a lot of developing to do. A lot of learning to do. I would say the same for Dillon Gabriel. For as much as he’s shown, he still has to show that he can overcome his size. And I think that’s a magical little thing, especially on this level. The guys that can do it are those that who have still struggled to do that.”

Gabriel was their wildcard. A dynamic lefty with a lightning release and nearly 18,000 career passing yards between UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. But NFL speed is cruel. Add to that his size– a little under 6’0″ and barely over 200 pounds. It’s a limitation. And that puts Kevin Stefanski in a brutal spot.

Host Tyvis Powell went ahead and further inquired, “You say it’s a two-man race between Joe and Kenny. My question is, for the Browns, they’re not gonna go past this season with probably Joe or Kenny, because if Kenny has a great season, they won’t probably be able to pay him fair. And if that’s the case, why not play the two young guys to see what you have?”

Kinkhabwala didn’t let that slide either: “Because you’ll be completely destroyed. Neither is ready. They’re just not ready. You know, there are certain rookies that are drafted and they are ready for the National Football League. These guys just aren’t. Like, they just aren’t. Sorry! For whatever glowing reports you heard about football in shorts, against the fourth team or the fifth team, or the group of guys who are unfortunately not going to make the team come September, the reality is, why would you go out there and how could you do that to the rest of the team and say, ‘We’re not interested in winning?’”

“Have you looked at the schedule and the way that the schedule is starting? The Browns have an obligation to not only their fans but to the players on that team to do everything they can to win games and you’ve got a much better chance to do that with either Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett than you do with these two young, young, young rookies, who neither of whom is Joe Burrow who’s drafted in first round expected to step in and immediately be the face of the franchise.”

Mid‑June voluntary OTAs offered a tantalizing early look, Dillon Gabriel led all quarterbacks in reps, completing 22-of-36 passes with multiple touchdowns (his lone interception was wiped off via replay), outperforming even Kenny Pickett and veteran Joe Flacco. Coming off a near 73% completion rate and 30 TDs at Oregon in 2024, Gabriel brought momentum. But translating that into NFL-level performance remains a steep learning curve. He’s fighting to hold off Shedeur Sanders, the 5th-round rookie already drawing late-camp buzz.

That’s the worst part. This mistake isn’t just about Gabriel. It’s about optics of what this team is trying to be: a playoff-caliber squad while running a QB experiment in real time. The HC didn’t sign up for that. And now he is having to make some quick decisions.

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Kevin Stefanski is uncertain over the QB Trade

While Kinkhabwala called the rookies unprepared, they might get an opening in the season. Let’s not sugarcoat it, Kenny Pickett didn’t come to Cleveland to be QB4. And yet, with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in town, and Joe Flacco hanging around with a Super Bowl ring, Pickett might already be the odd man out. Kevin Stefanski says they’re evaluating, but you don’t keep four quarterbacks active unless chaos is your offensive identity.

Nathan Zegura, the Browns’ radio analyst who’s been around enough QB controversies to smell one from 100 yards, didn’t dodge the issue. “Probably at this point, Kenny Pickett,” he said when asked who’s most tradable. Why? “He’s a former first-round pick, he is young, and went 15-10 as a starter.” That’s not blind optimism, that’s resume logic. And the Saints might be circling.

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New Orleans OC Kellen Moore worked with Pickett last year in Philly. Moore knows the kid, the flaws, and what Pickett looks like when he’s confident. Add in the Saints’ uncertainty around Tyler Shough, and suddenly the smoke becomes fire. Zegura even floated it, “Maybe we need to bring him (Pickett) down here to be the starter and see what he has.”

In the minicamp, Pickett went 38-of-63. That’s about 60.3%, decent but not spectacular. Kevin Stefanski hasn’t made his quarterback call yet. But the Browns might already be quietly preparing the paperwork.