At the Cleveland Browns’ 2025 rookie minicamp, a rare level of attention surrounds the quarterback battle between third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. Head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized a meticulous approach to their evaluation, saying the process will be thorough, and multidimensional.
Every element of the two quarterbacks’ performances is under the microscope, from mechanics like footwork, arm strength, and accuracy, to intangibles such as leadership, adaptability, playbook retention, and coachability. The Browns are leaving no aspect unchecked as they weigh their long-term direction at the game’s most critical position.
Kevin Stefanski Breaks Down Browns’ QB Evaluation for Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders
Stefanski is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to assessing his rookie quarterbacks. Rather than focusing on standout moments or single reps, Stefanski made it clear that this quarterback competition is part of an “all-encompassing evaluation.”
“You may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group,” Stefanski said. “So, we vary it throughout. We’re focused more on the totality of this competition.”
Stefanski told players that evaluations extend beyond the practice field.
“We’re evaluating everything they do out on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room. We want to see how they work,” he said. “So, this is a total evaluation. It’s not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It’s really all about the body of work.”
During the first two days of rookie minicamp, both quarterbacks rotated evenly in drills. Sanders and Gabriel shared reps during individual periods and alternated between different units during team sessions.
Stefanski noted that distributing reps equally was a deliberate part of the minicamp script, which also featured added competitive periods to maximize quarterback evaluation.
Sanders, who unexpectedly dropped from a projected first-round selection to the fifth round, remains undeterred.
“My aim here isn’t to disprove anyone. It’s about affirming my own abilities. I have complete faith in myself,” Sanders told reporters.
Gabriel, the former Oregon quarterback, has also embraced the challenge.
“I love it because of who it is. I think just for us both, you can learn from one another. But also, it’s not just us two in the room… we can all learn from one another,” he said.
When asked about the pressure of being compared to Sanders, Gabriel was measured in his response.
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“The more questions I get asked like that, it just divides the team,” he said. “We’re in a room that’s not just us but also Kenny, Joe, and Deshaun… all of us are pushing one another, which talent naturally does.”
Stefanski praised both quarterbacks for their openness to coaching.
“No one’s a finished product,” he said. “We’re doing everything in our power to develop these young men… they’re taking the coaching, which I appreciate.”
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