Only 3 NFL Teams Holding Quarterback Competition This Preseason originally appeared on The Spun.
Most NFL teams have a strong idea of who’ll be their starting quarterback when Week 1 arrives. Three in particular, however, are letting their players battle for the No. 1 job.
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The most interesting quarterback room belongs to the Cleveland Browns. Their depth chart currently consists of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. For the most part, NFL analysts expect Flacco to start Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Sanders may complicate matters if he continues to light it up this preseason
Sanders was excellent on Friday against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Despite how well he played, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski kept his cards close to his chest.
“Yeah, we’re really just focused on developing our players,” Stefanski said after Cleveland’s preseason opener. “We’re in evaluation mode. I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into the quarterback competition.”
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Stefanski was unwilling to say that Sanders is competing for the job, we can’t deny that. He also didn’t rule out a potential change to the depth chart.
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium.Scott Kinser-The USAToday Network via Imagn Images.
While the Browns may not welcome the drama that comes with declaring a quarterback competition, the Indianapolis Colts have fully embraced it.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has said many times that he’s letting Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones battle for the starting job.
Unfortunately for Richardson, he left the Colts’ preseason opener early with a dislocated pinky. Jones took over and completed 10-for-21 passes for 144 yards.
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Though the pinky injury is definitely a setback for Richardson, he still has time to beat out Jones in this competition. The Colts will be back in action on Aug. 16 against the Green Bay Packers.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 10: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts scrambles in the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The third and final quarterback battle this preseason belongs to the New Orleans Saints. First-year head coach Kellen Moore is evaluating Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.
Moore has named Rattler the starting quarterback for the Saints’ preseason opener this Sunday. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start Week 1 though.
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“Super excited, awesome opportunity,” Rattler said. “Excited to get out there with the guys and try to play some clean ball, try to score some points and have some fun with the guys out there.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 18: Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints scrambles with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Rattler started six games for the Saints in 2024, completing 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
As of now, it seems like Rattler has the early lead in the quarterback competition. That being said, the Saints selected Shough with the 40th overall pick in this year’s draft. The front office must think his skillset translates well in Moore’s offensive system.
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“We just felt like it was a really good player,” Moore said. “Obviously we felt good about Tyler through this process and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with ever investing in the quarterback room. We feel like there’s a lot of depth in there now as we go through this process and let’s let it play out.”
The Browns, Colts and Saints have a little less than a month to determine who’ll start Week 1.
Only 3 NFL Teams Holding Quarterback Competition This Preseason first appeared on The Spun on Aug 9, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.