The Cleveland Browns made waves in the 2025 NFL Draft by drafting Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round and Dillon Gabriel in the third, following a 3-14 season and a quarterback room hanging on Deshaun Watson’s Achilles recovery. With the addition of veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, Cleveland’s quarterback room is both packed and disorganised. Add in the outsized media presence that follows Sanders wherever he goes, and you’ve got one of the most volatile—and fascinating—position battles of the NFL offseason.

Dillon Gabriel is here to win Cleveland’s quarterback position and not to play the media game. Gabriel immediately cut off any discussion of a conflict with fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He distinguished clearly between competition and controversy when he stated, “I think questions like that divide the team.” His remarks set the tone for a Browns rookie minicamp that’s become must-watch.

Gabriel doubled down, addressing Shedeur’s hype and entourage. “For me, you know, life of simplicity is a life full of, you know, focus. Life of, you know, complexity comes with life of distractions. But for me, I’m focused, I’m simple, I know what I want to accomplish.” Even when asked how he felt about the Browns drafting Sanders after him, Gabriel showed nothing but maturity: “I love it because of who it is. But also, it’s not just us two in the room, at least for right now it is…. Just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from.”

Cleveland’s internal hierarchy has already shifted, even though the two rookies are saying the right things. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Gabriel is presently rated above Sanders on the Browns’ depth chart. And he was also ranked higher on the team’s draft board. During rookie minicamp, Gabriel made an impression right away by connecting with TE Harold Fannin Jr. for a score in the red zone. He displayed the same poise and anticipation that general manager Andrew Berry commended following the draft.

Even though Gabriel is only 5’11”, his resume says it all: he has 63 career starts, the most in FBS history, outstanding accuracy, a low turnover rate, and a leadership style that shouts ‘NFL-ready.’ Or, as Gabriel puts it, “Winning is something I’m addicted to.”

Kevin Stefanski’s no-nonsense message on Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders

No Handouts, No Hype—Just Earn It. Kevin Stefanski is establishing the culture from the top. The head coach’s message during the Browns’ first rookie squad meeting was very clear: nothing is guaranteed. “Do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it, every time,” was the straightforward message of the head coach, Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski made it clear that no one has been given a spot, regardless of whether they are a first-round pick or a fifth-round pick.

“Your goal is to make the team… Your second goal, once you made that team, is to earn a role. No one will be given a role. Doesn’t work that way,” Stefanski added. And that’s right, this is a team sport, after all. It’s a direct challenge to both Gabriel and Sanders, who are under more spotlight than most rookie QBs. Stefanski is searching for maturity, steadiness, and dependability rather than drama or draft buzz.

During their initial practice sessions, both quarterbacks showed promise. Sanders reassured everyone of the arm talent that set over 100 records at Colorado, even though his slip to Round 5 was aided by his 94 sacks and 10 interceptions over two seasons. Gabriel, in particular, looked polished throughout team drills.

Now, this isn’t simply a developmental race. It’s a starting position up for grabs because of Flacco’s age, Pickett’s inconsistent play, and Deshaun Watson’s uncertainty. Stefanski made it clear: “And you’ll earn that role based off what you do in this room, in your position meeting room, in the weight room, out on the field, in this building. That’s what you’re doing.” Sanders and Gabriel share a quarterback’s room. But only one will own it.