
Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty
Updated November 17, 2025, at 3:37 p.m.
The Cleveland Browns have added another chapter to their long quarterback rotation. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has started for the team for over a month, but during Sunday’s gam,e he was forced out with a concussion.
In came rookie Shedeur Sanders, making his NFL debut in the second half. Gabriel remains the primary starter while Sanders remains the QB 2 for now.
Since the franchise’s return to the league in 1999, Cleveland has named 41 different starting quarterbacks. Some arrived as high-profile draft picks. Others were veterans brought in for short-term stability. A number of heads of state didn’t last long.
From Tim Couch—the Browns’ first pick after the return—to Derek Anderson’s unexpected Pro Bowl season, to Brady Quinn and Colt McCoy’s brief tenures, the list offers both length and frustration for fans. More recently, players like Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco carried massive expectations, yielding mixed results.
Now the Browns face another decision at the game’s most important position. Head coach Kevin Stefanski says Gabriel remains the starter if he is healthy, but Sanders’ first action adds a new wrinkle. Cleveland will soon learn which rookie quarterback ultimately takes the reins moving forward.
1. Tim Couch
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1999-2002
2. Ty Detmer
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1999
3. Doug Pederson
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Doug Pederson #18, Quarterback for the Cleveland Browns calls the play on the line of scrimmage during the American Football Conference Central Division game against the Tennessee Titans on 19th November 2000 at the Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. The Titans won the game 24 – 10. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,people,full length,one person,usa,sport,18-19 years,sports team,american football – sport,nfl,quarterback,line of scrimmage,match – sport,tennessee,sports activity,nashville,instructions,tennessee titans,cleveland browns,headwear,sports helmet,afc,2000,offense – sporting position,nissan stadium – nashville,center – athlete,snapping the ball,doug pederson
4. Spergon Wynn
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2000
5. Kelly Holcomb
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2002-2004
6. Jeff Garcia
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2004
7. Luke McCown
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2004
8. Trent Dilfer
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2005
9. Charlie Frye
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2005-2007
10. Derek Anderson
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2006-2009
11. Brady Quinn
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2008, 2009
12. Ken Dorsey
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2008
13. Bruce Gradkowski
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2008
14. Colt McCoy
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2010, 2011
15. Jake Delhomme
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2010
16. Seneca Wallace
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2010, 2011
17. Brandon Weeden
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2012, 2013
18. Thad Lewis
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2012
19. Jason Campbell
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2013
20. Brian Hoyer
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2013, 2014
21. Johnny Manziel
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2014, 2015
22. Connor Shaw
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2014
23. Josh McCown
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2015, 2016
24. Austin Davis
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2015
25. Cody Kessler
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2016
26. Robery Griffin III
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2016
27. DeShone Kizer
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2017
28. Kevin Hogan
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2017
29. Baker Mayfield
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2018-2021
30. Tyrod Taylor
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2018
31. Case Keenum
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2021
32. Nick Mullens
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2021
33. Jacoby Brissett
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2021
34. Deshaun Watson
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2022-2024
35. Joe Flacco
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2023
36. Dorian Thompson-Robinson
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2023, 2024
37. P.J. Walker
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2023
38. Jeff Driskel
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2023
39. Jameis Winston
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2024
40. Bailey Zappe
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2024
41. Dillon Gabriel
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2025
42. Shedeur Sanders
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2025
