Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said it’s not uncommon to be able to keep four quarterbacks on the roster. This latest decision comes as they prepare for the start of their regular season. This decision comes in the wake of a remarkably competitive QB landscape which includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. With the increasing roster flexibility afforded by practice squad elevations, Berry believes that teams can creatively build their game-day rosters.
As of now, Joe Flacco is the first-stringer as the Browns head into the Week 1 matchup against Cincinnati. In the preseason finale, it was Flacco who had the strong showing. During that time, he went 9 for 10 for 71 yards and one touchdown in three different series. Coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to name a definitive backup to Flacco, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the team’s quarterback hierarchy.
Dillon Gabriel, who played two series in the preseason finale, showcased his potential by completing 12 of 19 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown. Kenny Pickett, who has been out with a debilitating hamstring injury. This turn of events has again led to questions about his preparedness as the season nears. Shedeur Sanders is listed as the fourth-string QB on the preseason depth chart. While much has been made of Gabriel’s breakout performance, he’s stayed surprisingly under the radar.
In reaction to comments originally shared with Sanders by Gabriel, Sanders pointed out that any such tension or disagreement between them exists only in the imagination. ESPN analyst Domonique Foxworth felt the same way, calling bull on any notion of a rift between the quarterbacks.
Berry stated, “Honestly, it’s not much of a decision for us… We have a room that we like all the guys in there.” This positive assessment of the quarterbacks reflects a collaborative environment, essential for team cohesion as they prepare for the challenges of the season ahead.
The flexibility afforded by recent roster rules allows teams to explore different configurations as they approach the 48-man game-day roster. In the past, a few teams have assumed this risk and carried all four quarterbacks. In prior seasons this sort of strategy was curtailed by stricter roster rules.
Berry reiterated that teams are viewing those last roster spots as opportunities for development. This outlook could work for any role on the team. “We’ve largely looked at the last five spots of a roster as more developmental spots, and that can come from any position,” he explained.
As the Cleveland Browns finalize their roster before the season opener, it remains to be seen how they will manage their quarterback situation. With strong performances from Flacco and Gabriel during the preseason, and Pickett’s potential return from injury, the team has several options to consider moving forward.
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