The Cleveland Browns are at a crossroads entering the 2025 NFL season, bracing for a heated quarterback competition. Notable analysts like Dan Orlovsky have been weighing in, recognizing the significance of this battle for both the Browns’ short- and long-term prospects. In this article, we draw on Orlovsky’s insights and compare them to the expert opinions surfacing throughout the NFL media landscape.

Setting the Stage: Browns’ Revamped Quarterback Room

Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart looks almost unrecognizable from just a year ago. With Deshaun Watson’s future effectively sealed by injury, veteran Joe Flacco leads a group that also includes recent draftees Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, alongside Kenny Pickett. The Browns’ decision to stockpile talent at the game’s most important position has created both intrigue and uncertainty.

PFF provides a comprehensive breakdown of this transformation, emphasizing that the team now blends veteran savvy with rookie upside. While Flacco enters training camp as the presumed starter, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are both expected to push hard for reps (read full breakdown at PFF).

Dan Orlovsky’s Take: The Importance of Competition

Dan Orlovsky, known for his sharp quarterback analysis, often spotlights the value of open competition. Regarding Cleveland, Orlovsky sees healthy competition as a catalyst for growth. He suggests that allowing quarterbacks like Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders to battle for the starting job will bring out the best in each player, avoiding complacency and ensuring that only the most prepared candidate earns the role.

Orlovsky also stresses the importance of schematic fit. Cleveland’s offense under Kevin Stefanski rewards accuracy, decision-making, and rhythm passing—traits that can help a newcomer like Gabriel accelerate his development, especially with a mentor like Flacco still in the room.

Who Will Win the Browns’ Quarterback Battle?

The front office’s investments suggest that every player will get a legitimate chance. According to a detailed breakdown on Yahoo Sports, Flacco currently holds an edge, thanks to his experience and proven ability to steady the offense. However, both Sanders and Gabriel will likely get meaningful opportunities in minicamp and the preseason.

Bleacher Report dives deeper, analyzing each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. Gabriel, as a third-round pick, is seen by many insiders as the potential long-term answer. Sanders, despite his high-profile college career, faces an uphill climb due to draft position and perceptions about his game. Still, his upside cannot be ignored (see Bleacher Report’s in-depth analysis).

Lessons from the Past: Cleveland’s Quarterback Carousel

Dan Orlovsky has often cited the importance of organizational stability. Cleveland’s track record at quarterback has been turbulent, with over 40 different starters since 1999. This context amplifies the stakes of this year’s competition; the franchise desperately needs a reliable presence under center. Both Orlovsky and other analysts agree that the Browns cannot afford another misstep as they aim to join the ranks of AFC contenders.

Conclusion: High Stakes, High Potential

The quarterback battle in Cleveland is about more than just naming a Week 1 starter. For Dan Orlovsky and many in the NFL world, it’s a test of the Browns’ ability to foster genuine competition and maximize their talent. Whether Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders seizes the job, success will depend on both talent and the environment created for growth.

As Browns fans await the outcome, staying informed by following expert perspectives like Orlovsky’s, and credible analysis from sources such as PFF and Yahoo Sports, will be key. The hope is that this year, the quarterback carousel stops, and Cleveland finally finds the stability they have long sought under center.