Will Browns keep 4 QBs? GM offers update on roster cuts, Shedeur Sanders

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Will Browns keep 4 QBs? GM offers update on roster cuts, Shedeur Sanders

Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Sat, Aug 23, 2025 ·

2 min read

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Most NFL teams carry a maximum of three quarterbacks on their 53-man rosters. The Cleveland Browns may buck that trend during the 2025 NFL season.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry was asked during Cleveland's 19-17 preseason Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams whether the team would consider keeping four quarterbacks past Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline. His answer?

"Honestly, it's not much of a decision for us," Berry told announcers Chris Rose and Joe Thomas on the Browns broadcast, per the Akron Beacon Journal .

Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Andy Dalton (14) and Bryce Young (9) watch from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) runs the ball as Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom (22) and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (57) attempt to tackle him.
(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (3) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) and safety Miles Killebrew (28).
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

New England Patriots quarterback Ben Wooldridge (17) throws a pass against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

New York Giants tight end Greg Dulcich (89) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (0).
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws a pass against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lance McCutcheon (82) catches the ball for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback Shemar Bartholomew (27) follows close behind.
(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer (16) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) stretches back for the yard marker while tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte (75).
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (3) runs through the middle against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) looks for an opening as he is chased by Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton (31) and linebacker Claudin Cherelus (53).
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Former NFL quarterback and member of the Prime "Thursday Night Football" crew, Ryan Fitzpatrick, hangs out with fans before the preseason game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. throws during pregame warmups before the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

Berry's comments came as Cleveland navigated a logjam in its quarterback room. The Browns named 40-year-old Joe Flacco their starter but had three young signal-callers behind him in which they invested 2025 NFL Draft capital.

That included third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel , fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett , whom the Browns acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick during the offseason.

Thus far, Berry has been pleased with the performance of Cleveland's quarterbacks.

"All four guys have done what we've asked," Berry said. "We have a room that we like all the guys in there."

SHEDEUR SANDERS: Grading rookie's preseason Week 3 outing vs. Rams

As such, the 38-year-old executive doesn't view carrying four quarterbacks "as a problem."

"We more see it as an opportunity," he explained. "The reality of it is, you have a 53-man roster. You can build your [48-player] game day roster, unless you're wiped out from injury, you can be pretty creative."

What might that creativity look like? Berry outlined the Browns could choose to carry one less linebacker or safety, given the overlap those positions sometimes have in Cleveland's defense.

Either way, it appears Cleveland's lean is to keep four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster. That would make the second consecutive season the Browns have taken such an approach.

In 2024, the Browns kept Deshaun Watson , Jameis Winston , Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley past the 53-man roster deadline. That arrangement only lasted a couple of days, however, as Huntley was released on Aug. 29, 2024 after Cleveland was unable to trade the veteran.

Sanders, the team's current fourth-string quarterback, will be hoping to avoid a similar fate in 2025. The rookie was lauded by Berry, who spoke well of the Colorado product's progress and in Kevin Stefanski's pro-style offense.

"He's going from a college offensive system where… imagine you were fluent in English and now you have to learn Mandarin," Berry said on the Browns broadcast . "His growth, really since the spring on, you know, with the mental side of things, having command of the offense, has been real impressive."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Browns keep 4 QBs? 'Not much of a decision for us,' GM says

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Will Browns keep 4 QBs? GM offers update on roster cuts, Shedeur Sanders

All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason

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