Browns’ “Open” QB Competition Under Fire as Favoritism Becomes Clear

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2025 training camp claiming a wide-open four-man quarterback competition — but signs from OTAs and minicamp have told a very different story. Now, with training camp in full swing, questions are being raised about how fair this battle truly is.

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo didn’t hold back in a recent tweet, saying:

“I think Pickett has the chance first, and I think they want to see Gabriel sooner rather than later.”

Rizzo went on to say he does not believe the Browns truly have a four-man quarterback competition. That statement reflects what many fans and analysts have been sensing for weeks: the race might be over before it even started.

Images from camp show Kenny Pickett (#8), rookie D.J. Uiagalelei — nicknamed Gabriel — (#5), and another quarterback (#15) at the center of attention. The fourth quarterback on the roster remains in the shadows, receiving minimal reps and exposure.

Pickett, brought in from Pittsburgh, appears to be leading the charge as the top backup to Deshaun Watson. Meanwhile, Gabriel, the Browns’ recent draft pick with huge upside and a strong arm, is reportedly being fast-tracked through the system. Coaches seem eager to evaluate his long-term potential — perhaps even more than any short-term camp battle.

The problem? It looks less like a competition and more like the team already has its mind made up.

If this trend continues, Browns fans may never see a true contest for the QB2 or QB3 spots. And for the quarterbacks not named Pickett or Gabriel, this might just be a lost opportunity in a rigged race.

So the question stands: Are the Browns developing talent — or just going through the motions?