We’ve been breaking down every minicamp throw, decoding Kevin Stefanski’s every word, and zooming in on those blurry training camp clips like they’re the Zapruder film. Cleveland‘s quarterback situation has taken over the offseason conversation. However, the wait is almost over. Word is, the Browns have a timeline in place to name their Week 1 starter, and it’s sooner than you’d expect. Buckle up, because this QB race might be wrapping up quicker than anyone thought.

In a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Albert Breer revealed when Kevin Stefanski will decide on the most asked question of the 2025 season. “They’ve got joint practices the next two weeks. They’ve got Panthers next week and the Eagles after that. After those practices, they would like to make a decision,” he said.

Those joint practices are more than just tune-ups. It’s the perfect stage for the Browns to see these QBs under real pressure, in real-time situations. That kind of intensity is exactly what Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry need to make a call. And that evaluation will go beyond pure performance. “It’s not just how they play… It’s how teammates respond, how they carry themselves in the building, in the huddle, even in the training room,” Breer revealed. So, the timeline might be set, but the joint practices are not the only influencers. It’s everything leading up to it.

Until now, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett were in the thick of it. They were mainly splitting the first team reps. Dillon Gabriel was ‘sparingly’ getting some first-team reps in, and Shedeur Sanders? He wasn’t even getting any reps with the first team. At all. And now with Pickett out, everything might change.

Hamstring setback for Pickett makes the QB race wide open

Kenny Pickett’s hamstring acting up might’ve hit pause on his camp momentum, but it made things very interesting. Kevin Stefanski said Pickett’s still “very much involved,” but with no return timeline and a few practices on ice, Joe Flacco’s stepped right into the driver’s seat. Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are getting way more action now. Gabriel has been ahead of Sanders in the Browns‘ depth chart, but Shedeur is making things spicier.

Shedeur Sanders, the fifth-rounder out of Colorado, is very much capitalizing on this opportunity. During Day 4 of padded practice, he went a perfect 9-for-9 with two touchdown tosses, turning heads across the league. And keep in mind, this was with limited first-team action early on.

The man was literally throwing to the equipment guys instead of the wideouts a few weeks ago. But that slow start didn’t last long. Since then, he’s tightened up his mechanics, cleaned up his footwork, and looks way more comfortable hanging in the pocket. And Stefanski has noticed.

Gabriel’s not making the flashy throws yet, but he’s doing exactly what’s expected of him. He’s steady, consistent, and reliable. He’s been handling the reps with good accuracy and quick decisions, showing he’s picking up the system fast. It might not grab headlines, but the staff sees it, and it’s keeping him right in the thick of the QB competition. Despite Shedeur’s rise, he is still expected to be ahead of him in the depth chart.

So, as long as Pickett is out, everything points towards Joe Flacco as the QB1, and Gabriel taking up the number two spot. But if Shedeur keeps this pace up? Don’t be surprised if that changes.