Browns Predicted to Make Head-Scratching Trade Before 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Cleveland Browns have a unique quarterback situation this year.
After signing veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s second Achilles tear in three months back in January, general manager Andrew Berry also drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in this year’s draft.
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The law of averages and simple logic would tell us that one of those four will prevail after the preseason to be the starter. And some think that will be fifth-round draft pick Sanders.
If it is, then the Browns should thank their lucky stars that they found a bona fide starter in the fifth round. But some don’t share that thought.
NFL Trade Rumors believes that if Sanders prevails in the preseason, he’ll be the subject of a trade.
“Trading Sanders as a rookie would be unorthodox, but it’s worth noting Cleveland passed on Sanders several times in the draft, including to take another quarterback before the value finally became too much to ignore,” NFLTR wrote. “The Browns’ front office is value-obsessed, and Sanders is a potential buy-low/sell-high opportunity.
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“He’s the passer the Browns could likely generate the strongest return off of if he has a solid preseason.”
If the Browns trade Sanders after he wins the QB job, why would they trade him? This team is one season removed from an 11-6 mark and a playoff appearance. They’re not that far away from returning to that.
With Sanders as “the guy,” surely it would be either Gabriel or Pickett who would be traded, leaving the experienced Flacco as his backup.
That just makes more sense.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.