Although the OTAs and minicamp for the Cleveland Browns have already ended and players aren’t scheduled to report again until the last week of July for the start of preseason, the team remains completely paralyzed by the quarterback situation, which still doesn’t appear to be settled.
It’s not “settled” – I put that in quotes because surely Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Cleveland Browns, already knows who he’s going to start, and that will be Joe Flacco, even if he keeps saying there’s an “open competition.” What Shedeur Sanders has done is impressive, but clearly not enough – at least not to start the season.
One of the main reasons Shedeur Sanders will have to wait is because he’s the only quarterback who hasn’t taken a single rep with the first team. In fact, as of today, Dillon Gabriel might have a better chance than the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback.
Adam Schefter believes the starter will be Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett
There’s no doubt that Shedeur Sanders has talent and has already shown flashes of it, but starting the season will be tough – especially after being selected as late as the fifth round of the recent draft. That doesn’t mean his career in Cleveland is doomed. If the Browns start off poorly, the noise will only grow louder, and at some point, Stefanski will have to give Sanders a shot.
But for now, ESPN insider Adam Schefter made a statement that he’d be surprised if the Week 1 starter isn’t Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco:
“I think it would be an upset if Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett were not the Browns’ opening-day starting QB.” – Adam Schefter
Joe Flacco holds the biggest advantage. The veteran is entering his 18th NFL season and already had a solid stint with the Browns in 2023 – in five games, he threw for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and led Cleveland to the playoffs. He also knows Kevin Stefanski’s system, which currently gives him the upper hand.
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