Dillon Gabriel became the 41st man to start a game under center for the Cleveland Browns since 1999 in Sunday’s close defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London.To put that number into perspective, there have been just 45 U.S. Presidents since 1779. The Browns chew through quarterbacks at an unprecedented rate and history suggests Shedeur Sanders will become the 42nd before the end of the season.Cleveland has game-wrecking talent Myles Garrett spearheading a strong defense and rookie running back Quinshon Judkins showing the potential to lead a punishing ground game.Throw in a two-time NFL Coach of the Year in Kevin Stefanski, and there are plenty of ingredients for success.But quarterback is the most important position in sports and it is hard to see the glory days returning to Ohio until the Browns can get this right. You can’t make a hamburger without a patty.Years of poor selections have taken a financial toll.Per Spotrac, the Browns are paying eight quarterbacks in 2024, with a combined cap hit of $41.6 million — after Joe Flacco‘s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals, only $2million of that spend is on the active roster.2025 Cleveland Browns quarterbacks and salary cap hitsDeshaun Watson ($35.9 million, PUP)Jameis Winston ($2.2 million Dead Cap)Dillon Gabriel ($1.1 million, Active)Joe Flacco ($999k, Dead Cap)Shedeur Sanders ($955k, Active)Bailey Zappe ($315k, Practice Squad)Dorian Thompson-Robinson ($171k, Dead Cap)Kenny Pickett ($8k, Dead Cap)DeShaun Watson‘s $230 million contract remains the elephant in the room.The former Houston Texan is rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon and the team will probably hope to keep him on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the entire season.“They qualify for maximum insurance coverage (and eventually cap relief) if he can’t play,” reported PFP’s Mike Florio.GettyGabriel is the latest man in the Browns hotseat[/caption]GettyFlacco Fever did not return in 2025[/caption]If Watson is cleared to play, the Browns would have to add him to the active roster or release him with a staggering 2026 cap charge of $131 million.Flacco’s comeback tour did not live up to the highs of 2023, leading to third-round rookie Gabriel getting his shot.He completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two scores after being thrown in at the deep end.It was a solid display after becoming the first quarterback ever to make his first start in an international game.The Vikings managed to eek out a 21-17 win, thanks to Brian Flores’ stout defense and it does not get much easier for Gabriel.Cleveland Browns scheduleMike Tomlin‘s Pittsburgh Steelers are up next on Sunday, before a more promising Week 7 matchup as the Miami Dolphins head to Cleveland.NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?Sitting at 1-4, the Browns are likely to have a high first-round pick in 2026 and also hold the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ first selection after trading back in April.Quarterback could well be on the menu yet again, but Sanders, who could move up from third on the depth chart after Flacco’s departure, may be given a shot to prove he is the long-term answer.The son of Hall of Famer Deion told potential suitors that he could transform their franchise before his infamous NFL Draft slide.Browns owner Jimmy Haslam — rumoured to be the man behind the fifth-round pick — will certainly expect it.“[Head coach Kevin Stefanski] is aware of that; he knows how important quarterback is; and he and [general manager Andrew Berry] talk about those kinds of things all the time. It’s a daily, ongoing conversation,” he said in September of the need to evaluate both rookies.GettySanders has the confidence and may get his chance before long[/caption]Both Gabriel and Sanders will believe they can be the one to finally end the revolving door. Practice squad QB Bailey Zappe cannot be ruled out at this point, either.The success of former No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield since leaving the Browns suggests that it will take more than talent alone.Cleveland’s Dawg Pound have been waiting for decades. Without a franchise QB, their bark will always be worse than their bite.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.