Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, now a vocal analyst, has criticized the Browns’ crowded quarterback room, labeling it a recipe for dysfunction. At the heart of his criticism is Shedeur Sanders, the fifth-round draft pick who finds himself buried as the fourth-string quarterback despite being the most hyped rookie on the roster in this year’s mock draft.
Robert Griffin III Calls Browns QB Room a Set Up for Dysfunction
Yesterday, Robert shared his thoughts on the Browns’ QB situation, pulling no punches. He pointed out the team’s $230 million investment in Deshaun Watson, who is sidelined for the 2025 season with an Achilles injury. To fill the gap, the Browns brought in four QBs this offseason: Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft; veteran Joe Flacco, a Super Bowl MVP; Kenny Pickett, a former first-rounder entering his fourth year now; and Sanders, selected in the fifth round at number 144 overall.
Griffin’s main issue is that the pecking order in this crowded quarterback room places Sanders, the most popular rookie in the NFL based on jersey sales, at the bottom of the depth chart.
He further argues that this kind of setup is a disaster waiting to happen. Flacco, at 40 years old, brings experience but will take reps away from Pickett. Pickett, in turn, will limit Gabriel’s opportunities, and Gabriel, as a higher draft pick, will get more reps than Sanders.
Yet, this same Sanders is the group’s headliner; he sells tickets and jerseys and brings a level of excitement that his teammates and even players across the league have openly praised. Griffin highlighted how top NFL players have called Sanders a steal, claiming he was unfairly overlooked in the draft.
For a player with such hype, being relegated to QB4 means he’ll get the least amount of practice time and chances to prove himself, which Brown called “A set up for dysfunction”. When summing up his frustration with the team’s approach.
The Cleveland Browns QB situation is a SET UP FOR DYSFUNCTION.
They have $230 Million that won’t play.
Brought in 4 QBs this offseason and the last one they brought in, Shedeur Sanders, is the #1 selling jersey of all rookies despite being drafted in the 5th round after their… pic.twitter.com/BADFdSYrZ1— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 6, 2025
A Crowded QB Room: Who Gets the Reps?
Let’s call the Browns’ QB depth chart a puzzle, the one head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry will need to resolve with care. Flacco is a proven veteran, offering stability and leadership, but at 40, he’s not a long-term option. Pickett, acquired this offseason, has starting experience from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing.
Gabriel, the third-round rookie, brings a different dynamic with his dual-threat ability. Of course, he’s a higher draft pick, so he’s likely to get more developmental reps than Sanders. Then there’s Sanders, whose college tape shows a polished passer with the toughness to handle pressure, but his lack of reps in practice could greatly limit his growth.
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The team’s decision to draft two QBs in this year’s draft has raised concerns. Berry has defended the move, saying the team believes in taking the best player available and that Sanders was too good a value to pass up in the fifth round. “He’s highly accurate and can play well from the pocket,” Berry said after the draft, per NFL Network.
But now, with several QBs vying for time, the team risks creating a fractured locker room, a situation whereby players might rally around Sanders’ charisma. At the same time, the coaching staff prioritizes the veterans, so whether or not Sander will overcome the Odds, we will need to wait till the season kicks off.
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