Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Credits Deshaun Watson for Helping Develop Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel

Robert Gullo | 03/06/2025
Quarterback Deshaun Watson, talking with coach Kevin Stefanski at a 2022 minicamp session, has only played in 19 of the Browns' 52 games since being acquired from the Texans in 2022.

It’s only May… but one of the most intriguing quarterback battles in the NFL is already taking place in Cleveland. The Browns have a loaded room, yet there’s still no clear answer on who will start — or even lead the depth chart.

The club boasts veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with two rookie quarterbacks—Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—who were picked in the 2025 NFL Draft. They also have Deshaun Watson, the $230 million man, who’s been the presumed starter over the past three seasons. However, he’s managed to start only 19 games during that stretch.

With Watson currently recovering from an Achilles injury and expected to warm the benches for the majority of the upcoming season, the depth in the quarterback room certainly helps. And another positive in Cleveland is that Watson has been a great help during training camp, offering a guiding hand.

Speaking to The 92.3 Fan, hosted by Andy Baskin and Jeff Phelps, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski shared the good news. He mentioned that Watson has been not just mentoring the youngsters but also showing the veterans the ropes.

“Having Deshaun in there is awesome,” Stefanski said. “He’s been a great help to the young guys, to the veterans. It’s been really, really fun.”

Stefanski was also asked if he was getting tired of all the quarterback questions regarding the competition in training camp. He answered with a firm no.

“No, this is sports, man. People are interested in our game, this is the NFL,” Stefanski replied. “Everyone is interested in what we’re doing, in our OTAs, but I love this part of our job. What it speaks to is competition. That’s what we’re about. If we’re competing for a job, that’s all in the spirit of what it’s about.”

Stefanski then spoke about how all four quarterbacks each bring something different to the table. He referred to the two rookies as sponges who are constantly listening and learning from the three veterans. That must be music to the ears of Browns faithful.

With Deshaun Watson expected to be sidelined for a good portion of the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stefanski and the team start a veteran. In this case, Joe Flacco would make sense, as he helped lead the Browns to the playoffs in the 2023 season.

Flacco has the experience and showed he still has some Flacco magic left in him, not too long ago.

Post Edited By: Samnur Reza
Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson Kevin Stefanski Quarterbacks

About the author

Robert Gullio

Robert Gullo

Rob is an NFL Journalist for The SportsRush. He was a University of Central Connecticut State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in sports journalism. Rob has followed football ever since he was old enough to understand the game and is a Jacksonville Jaguars fan. Rob has written over 4,000 NFL articles and has interviewed many athletes in his career such as: Tyreek Hill, Will Levis, Byron Jones, Adam Thielen, Isiah Pacheco, Caitlin Clark, and many other professional athletes. Outside of The SportsRush, Rob is involved with other sports at the high school and college level, serving as the reporter/editor of the New Britain Herald newspaper in New Britain, Connecticut. Outside of sports, Rob likes to hike, travel, work out, remain active, and hang out with friends.

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