Cleveland Browns training camp preview: Crowded quarterback room an early-season storyline

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-14)

OPEN CAMP: July 23, CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Berea, Ohio

LAST YEAR: The Browns finished at the bottom of the AFC North after making the playoffs in 2023. It was a season full of quarterback shuffling as Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe started games. The defense and secondary also lacked production. Telling stat from 2024: The Browns’ defense had only four interceptions.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Kenny Pickett, QB Shedeur Sanders, LB Jerome Baker, WR DeAndre Carter, WR Diontae Johnson, DT Mason Graham, QB Joe Flacco, QB Dillon Gabriel, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins, TE Harold Fannin Jr., LB Devin Bush

IMPORTANT LOSSES: QB Jameis Winston, WR Elijah Moore, RB Nick Chubb, TE Harrison Bryant, TE Jordan Akins, OT James Hudson, OT Germain Ifedi, OG Michael Dunn, DE James Houston, DL Dalvin Thomlinson

CAMP NEEDS: The Browns need to solidify who is going to be catching the ball this season. Jerry Jeudy is the only returning starting wideout. Diontae Johnson and Cedric Tillman will be the other starting receivers entering camp. Tillman had 339 receiving yards last year, and Johnson had 375 yards in 12 games with the Panthers, Ravens and Texans. … With two rookie quarterbacks — Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel — as well as veteran Joe Flacco and former Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett in the fold, QB1 is anybody’s spot. The bulk of training camp will be deciding how that depth chart will shake out as starting QB Deshaun Watson recovers from a torn Achilles and will miss most, if not all, of the season.

EXPECTATIONS: The Browns seem to be entering a rebuilding season. The defense has gotten younger and will look to bounce back after allowing the fifth-most points in the league. Kevin Stefanski enters his sixth year at the helm with the Browns, looking to find his new starting quarterback. The Browns hoped to replace Nick Chubb in the backfield with the tandem of Jerome Ford and second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, though Judkins has yet to sign his rookie contract and is being investigated for a domestic incident. The Browns’ rushing attack was ranked 29th in the league last season. Cleveland can rely on some star power on defense, as defensive end Myles Garrett returns after earning first-team All-Pro honors. He finished second in the NFL with 14 sacks last season and had 40 solo tackles and three forced fumbles. For his career, he has 1021/2 sacks and 20 forced fumbles.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: at Panthers, 7 p.m. Aug. 8; at Eagles, 1 p.m. Aug. 16; vs. Rams, 1 p.m. Aug. 23