
Source: Perry Knotts / Getty
Updated Oct. 1, 2025, at 12:27 p.m.
The Cleveland Browns officially named rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s matchup, adding another name to a long list that stretches back to 1999. Since returning as an expansion franchise, Cleveland has cycled through countless quarterbacks in its search for stability under center. Some were highly drafted hopes, others were veterans brought in to stop the bleeding, and many had forgettable stints in brown and orange.
Gabriel will be the 41st starting QB used by the Browns since 1999. Shedeur Sanders, by the way, will remain QB3 for the foreseeable future.
From Tim Couch, the franchise’s first pick after the return, to Derek Anderson’s surprising Pro Bowl year, to Brady Quinn and Colt McCoy’s short-lived tenures, the list is both deep and frustrating for fans. More recent names, such as Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson, and Joe Flacco, have all carried the weight of expectations in Cleveland, with mixed results.
Now Gabriel takes his turn, and Browns fans are once again left wondering if this is finally the quarterback who can change the story.
1. Tim Couch

1999-2002
2. Ty Detmer

1999
3. Doug Pederson

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

2000
5. Kelly Holcomb

2002-2004
6. Jeff Garcia

2004
7. Luke McCown

2004
8. Trent Dilfer

2005
9. Charlie Frye

2005-2007
10. Derek Anderson

2006-2009
11. Brady Quinn

2008, 2009
12. Ken Dorsey

2008
13. Bruce Gradkowski

2008
14. Colt McCoy

2010, 2011
15. Jake Delhomme

2010
16. Seneca Wallace

2010, 2011
17. Brandon Weeden

2012, 2013
18. Thad Lewis

2012
19. Jason Campbell

2013
20. Brian Hoyer

2013, 2014
21. Johnny Manziel

2014, 2015
22. Connor Shaw

2014
23. Josh McCown

2015, 2016
24. Austin Davis

2015
25. Cody Kessler

2016
26. Robery Griffin III

2016
27. DeShone Kizer

2017
28. Kevin Hogan

2017
29. Baker Mayfield

2018-2021
30. Tyrod Taylor

2018
31. Case Keenum

2021
32. Nick Mullens

2021
33. Jacoby Brissett

2021
34. Deshaun Watson

2022-2024
35. Joe Flacco

2023
36. Dorian Thompson-Robinson

2023, 2024
37. P.J. Walker

2023
38. Jeff Driskel

2023
39. Jameis Winston

2024
40. Bailey Zappe

2024