Day 1 of Cleveland Browns training camp kicked off for the 2025 season. As we do every year, we will compile a summary of what happened before, during, and after each practice, based on notes from the local media and the team.
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report - Day 1 (7/23/25)
1. Back to Berea: After kicking off training camp in Greenbrier, West Virginia for the past two years, that excursion did not happen for the 2025 year. Instead, the team reported to Berea for their first practice — a closed session one. They’ll practice in front of fans for the first time
this Friday.
2. Injury News to Start the Day: Prior to practice, the Browns made a few moves: QB Deshaun Watson and DT Mike Hall Jr. were placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, WR David Bell was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, and WR Jaelen Gill was waived.
TE David Njoku and LB Jordan Hicks were not at practice, but were excused for personal reasons.
3. RB Situation: The Browns rebuilt the running back room this offseason, and then recently, it was thrown into chaos due to the legal situation with rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, who is not with the team right now. For now, RB Jerome Ford resumes his role as the top running back (although he was not practicing today due to a minor injury, of course).
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said team will see if it adds RB with Quinshon Judkins unsigned and dealing with legal situation after domestic violence arrest.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 23, 2025
Said Jerome Ford moves into No. 1 spot.
4. The QB Plan: This offseason, it’s kind of been out there that the Browns have four quarterbacks, and we don’t know for sure who will be the starter, the backup, etc. How will these reps be split up? Well not, it gets serious. Cleveland doesn’t just want to decide on a starter by the end of camp, they want to decide on a starter soon, so that guy can be prepared to start for the regular season.
What we’ve learned from Day 1 is that Kevin Stefanski will be using two fields at times with the four quarterbacks (two on each field) to help maximize the reps and evaluation. He has his plan of the timeline on deciding things written in pencil, and one of those first big evaluation periods will be after Sunday’s off day.
He did note not to read too much into quarterback reps on any one day for these first four days, because it sounds like they’ll be intentionally rotating the reps in varying ways.
5. Drill of the Day: In one of the first Day 1 drills, the Browns had big men practicing fumble recoveries:
Big men recovering fumbles. Welcome to #Browns training camp 2025. pic.twitter.com/Lx4DYgLlLU
— Dan Labbe (@dan_labbe) July 23, 2025
6. Dawand Jones Really Did Slim Down: We heard the rumors, but you be the judge too: does it look like Dawand Jones has slimmed down quite a bit from the past two years?
We talked about this a lot in the spring, #Browns T Dawand Jones significantly leaner than a year ago: pic.twitter.com/wqPGABL72g
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) July 23, 2025
7. Rep Order at QB: Even if it doesn’t matter yet, we’ll still check. According to reports, in individual drills, Kenny Pickett went 1st, Joe Flacco went 2nd, Dillon Gabriel went 3rd, and Shedeur Sanders went 4th.
During the first team drills, though, Flacco got the first shot with things, and then Pickett got the next shot. It’s going to be fluid with lots of reps going around. To be honest, I’m surprised this isn’t the norm over the years — teams have like four practice fields, why not leverage as many reps and playing time as possible?
Browns QB Joe Flacco goes first with first-team offense in 7-on-7 and goes 5-for-5, including deep out to Michael Woods II.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 23, 2025
Rookies going at same time on other field. Dillon Gabriel first.
When it came time for the first 11-on-11 action, Pickett was first up. RB Pierre Strong was the running back. Another wrinkle to add to the reps: Flacco was basically not evaluated on Day 1 in that situation, similar to what happened back at minicamp:
Practice is over. Flacco got no 11 on 11 reps and the others were basically divided equally in this order: Pickett, Gabriel, Sanders.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) July 23, 2025
Pickett and Sanders are still on the field now getting some extra throws with Cedric Tillman and some of the rookie receivers.
8. Obligatory Sanders Highlight: Here is your obligatory Shedeur Sanders highlight:
Browns Shedeur Sanders with sideline completion. pic.twitter.com/DjhPsO0oCA
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 23, 2025
9. Play of the Day: Who doesn’t love seeing Joe Flacco nail a completion to a receiver? This one went to Michael Woods, who is competing for that No. 3 role:
#Browns QB Joe Flacco to Michael Woods II with the diving catch in 7-on-7s. pic.twitter.com/uKtcHBGYSB
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 23, 2025
10. Brownies: Officials were at practice today. ... Stefanski said that they could allow tackling to the ground this training camp, which is a change from previous years. ... Padded practices can begin this Monday.
11. Next Up: The Browns will practice on Thursday at 4:25 pm.
More from dawgsbynature.com:
- ESPN drops some news about the Browns’ quarterback situation
- NFL picks and predictions for Week 2
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/16/16)
- Browns’ Color Rush uniforms unveiled, but Cleveland won’t get to wear them in 2016
- Film Study: Browns’ only TD drive vs. Eagles
- Film Study: Browns’ 1st three offensive series vs. Eagles - All 3-and-outs, with a botched fake
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/15/16)
