Sun May 11 07:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Browns’ Rookie QBs Embrace Competition, Ignore Draft Surprises
**BEREA, Ohio** – The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room is buzzing with a healthy dose of competition following the surprising draft selections of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. While Gabriel’s third-round selection was unexpected, Sanders’ fifth-round pick after a perceived draft slide has generated significant buzz. Both rookies are embracing the challenge.
Gabriel, speaking Saturday at the Browns’ rookie minicamp, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Sanders. He emphasized the mutual learning opportunities within the crowded quarterback room, citing the presence of veterans Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Deshaun Watson as valuable resources.
Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, dismissed the notion of proving doubters wrong after his unexpected draft fall. “It’s just me versus me,” he stated, focusing on self-improvement rather than external validation. He and Gabriel split practice reps during minicamp, though coach Kevin Stefanski clarified that the order held no special significance, emphasizing that the minicamp serves both as competition and instruction. The true quarterback battle will unfold in the coming months.
Both rookies bring extensive college experience to the table. Sanders, a four-year starter at Jackson State, followed his father to Colorado. Gabriel boasts a six-year career with starts at Oregon, Oklahoma, and UCF. Despite the stiff competition, Gabriel declared his intention to approach each practice as if he were already the starting quarterback.
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