Cleveland Browns Make Surprising Quarterback Signing Before NFL Preseason Game

NFL journeyman Tyler Huntley has signed with the Cleveland Browns before the start of the preseason, bringing the team's current roster to five quarterbacks. He was a part of the organization before the start of last season, but was cut in late August.

Huntley will make the trip to Carolina and play in the preseason opener against the Panthers on Friday, Aug. 8, at 4 p.m. PT, with Oregon Ducks' Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett both suffering recent hamstring injuries. Shedeur Sanders is dealing with a sore shoulder as well.

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) scores a touchdown as Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) pursues during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Huntley will look to make the team through the final cuts after the three preseason games. The Cleveland Browns announced their first unofficial depth chart of the season before the Huntley acquisition:

No. 1 - Joe Flacco
No. 2 - Kenny Pickett
No. 3 - Dillon Gabriel
No. 4 - Shedeur Sanders

Huntley played with the Utah Utes from 2016-19 and was named to the All-Pac-12 Conference First Team in 2019. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he played with the Baltimore Ravens from 2020-23 and recently with the Miami Dolphins in 2024.

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With the Baltimore organization in 2022, Huntley was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, despite just starting four games. He threw for only two touchdowns, three interceptions, and 658 passing yards on a 67.0 completion rate. Huntley also ran for a touchdown and 137 rushing yards on 43 carries.

Gabriel has had his ups and downs throughout Cleveland's training camp this summer. Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan joined 'The Ken Carman Show With Anthony Lima' to discuss the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist's performance in the NFL thus far, and didn't have many positive remarks to say about him.

"He's not an NFL quarterback. It's not a height thing. He's rolling out and can't hit guys wide open. He's not that good in the warmup periods... They're putting him in a bad spot. You're forcing me to evaluate this kid like he's a first-round pick. He's a third-round pick. It's clear that you're trying to prepare him to play," said Ruiter.

Jun 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) talks to quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

On Day 10 of the training camp, Gabriel went 4-for-5 after getting limited reps with hamstring tightness, while Flacco stood out among all the quarterbacks after going 9-for-12. Sanders threw 7-for-9, Pickett finished 4-for-4.

Throughout the entire training camp, Gabriel has gone 66-for-118, which translates to a 55.9 completion percentage. He has thrown four touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Browns selected Gabriel with the No. 94 pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played six seasons in college football with the UCF Knights, the Oklahoma Sooners, and the Ducks from 2019-2024.

During his lone season in Eugene in 2024, the 5-11 Hawaii native was named the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player and a First Team All-American. Gabriel threw for 155 touchdowns throughout his career, tying the all-time college football record with Houston Cougars' Case Keenum.