BEREA, Ohio — It’s been a long offseason for Cleveland Browns fans. 

What You Need To Know

Eight-hundred Cleveland Browns fans attended the first of eight open training camp practices in Berea on Friday

Cleveland is hoping to improve on a 3-14 season 

One of the main storylines on display is the Quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders

Star Myles Garrett requested a trade back in February before agreeing to a record extension with the team. The Browns selected Mason Graham with their first first round draft pick since 2021 and brought in four new quarterbacks who are competing to start week 1. 

Friday was the first official taste of football for Browns fans.

Steve Brown flew from Florida to watch his favorite team practice. He says it’s something that could become a family tradition. 

“All of this is cool,” Brown said. “I have a two-year-old son. I’ll definitely bring him with me next year. I think he would have a blast.”

While there are plenty of other activities at training camp, football is the main focus for fans. The biggest storyline is the quarterback battle between veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Fans are split on their opinions. 

“I think it’s going to be Kenny Pickett,” said Brown. “I’d prefer it to be Shedeur Sanders because I sort of went to high school with his dad. His dad graduated from the same high school I did a few years before me. I think he’s talented.”

“I’m excited to see what’s going to happen with our quarterbacks,” Browns fan Aaron Goodenow said. “It’s going to be Joe Flacco. Team likes to play for him. He’s good for the morale of the team.”

“I was a Sheduer guy for the draft,” Browns fan and northeast Ohio native Noah Olson said. “I’m a Shedeur guy now. Maybe not week one. Week one gives me Joe, but overall Shedeur for sure.”

Whoever is under center for the team, fans are confident Cleveland can improve upon last year’s 3-14 campaign.

“There’s always a reason for optimism,” said Goodenow. “It’s the Cleveland Browns, never give up hope.”

“We’ve got a dominant defense,” Brown said. “I think we’re about an 8-win team. My hope is that one of these four guys shows some potential.”

Both Gabriel and Sanders are trying to soak up their first NFL experiences this week and compete every day.

“The more you can be where your feet are, the results will come,” said Gabriel, a 3rd round rookie quarterback out of Oregon. 

“I know the opportunity will come whenever it comes,” Sanders said. “I want to be able to know the ins and outs and the full of everything.”

The Browns will have seven more open practices this training camp with the final one taking place on Aug. 4. Cleveland kicks off the preseason on Aug. 8 in Carolina against the Panthers. The regular season opener at Huntington Bank Field is set for Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.