On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns made a significant roster adjustment by cutting quarterback Tyler Huntley, marking a strategic move as the team prepares for the 2025 season. This decision follows the conclusion of their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, where the Browns trimmed their roster to ensure they are at full strength for the regular season. The move reduces the quarterback room to four players, including Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. It appears to be the team’s only change prior to the regular season.
ESPN had previously reported that the Browns have been planning to retain their four other quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, with Deshaun Watson remaining on injured reserve due to a torn Achilles. The team’s head coach, Kevin Stefanski, expressed confidence in the roster decisions, stating, ‘I thought it was a good finish to that preseason as a football team, just to make sure that these guys gave that type of effort. So really pleased.’ Stefanski also noted the challenges of the cut-down period, saying, ‘So, we’ll work through that over the next 48 hours and then got four good days of work with the team Monday through Thursday.’ The team is looking forward to the next phase of preparation, with a break over Labor Day before the following week’s matchup against Cincinnati.
Huntley was brought into the mix after Kenny Pickett suffered an injury. As a one-time Pro Bowler, Huntley played in the fourth quarter against the Rams and was 10-of-13 with 71 passing yards against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns have already named Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for Week 1, with Pickett expected to serve as the backup. Stefanski emphasized Pickett’s progress, stating, ‘He is getting better every day’ as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The Browns added Flacco to the roster in the offseason and acquired Pickett from the Eagles, while Gabriel and Sanders were selected in the draft.
Sanders, however, did not perform well in his final preseason game against the Rams, where he was sacked five times. Gabriel, on the other hand, had a touchdown pass. Both rookies appear to be in good standing with the team, with the Browns seemingly secure in their quarterback options for the upcoming season. As the team moves forward, the focus is now on preparing for the regular season, with a strong emphasis on team cohesion and readiness for the challenges ahead.