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.
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Tim Couch
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1999-2002
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
2. Ty Detmer
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1999
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
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
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
4. Spergon Wynn
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2000
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
5. Kelly Holcomb
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2002-2004
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
6. Jeff Garcia
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2004
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
7. Luke McCown
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2004
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
8. Trent Dilfer
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2005
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
9. Charlie Frye
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2005-2007
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
10. Derek Anderson
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2006-2009
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
11. Brady Quinn
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2008, 2009
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
12. Ken Dorsey
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2008
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
13. Bruce Gradkowski
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2008
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
14. Colt McCoy
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2010, 2011
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
15. Jake Delhomme
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2010
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
16. Seneca Wallace
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2010, 2011
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
17. Brandon Weeden
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2012, 2013
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
18. Thad Lewis
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2012
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
19. Jason Campbell
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2013
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
20. Brian Hoyer
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2013, 2014
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
21. Johnny Manziel
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2014, 2015
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
22. Connor Shaw
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2014
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
23. Josh McCown
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2015, 2016
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
24. Austin Davis
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2015
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
25. Cody Kessler
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2016
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
26. Robery Griffin III
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2016
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
27. DeShone Kizer
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2017
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
28. Kevin Hogan
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2017
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
29. Baker Mayfield
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2018-2021
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
30. Tyrod Taylor
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2018
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
31. Case Keenum
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2021
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
32. Nick Mullens
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2021
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
33. Jacoby Brissett
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2021
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
34. Deshaun Watson
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2022-2024
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
35. Joe Flacco
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2023
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
36. Dorian Thompson-Robinson
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2023, 2024
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
37. P.J. Walker
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2023
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
38. Jeff Driskel
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2023
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
39. Jameis Winston
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2024
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
40. Bailey Zappe
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2024
Complete List of Every Browns Quarterback Since 1999 was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
