After OTAs and the Cleveland Browns’ minicamp, players are currently on break ahead of the official training camp, which will begin in late July and lead into the start of the regular season, when the Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
The Cleveland Browns are a team with many needs-especially on offense. On defense, with Myles Garrett, they might earn some respect, but on the other side of the ball, they could be seen as a joke, particularly due to the ongoing four-way quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and the focus of this story, Shedeur Sanders.
There’s been talk that Joe Flacco has the edge to become the starting quarterback, mainly because he’s the only one with experience in the system. After all, in 2023 he played five games, won four, and lost one-enough to take the Browns to the playoffs. However, Kevin Stefanski might see things differently.
Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are reportedly Stefanski’s favorites
Among the countless analyses made in recent months since Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, it has nearly always been presented as a battle between Flacco and Sanders-Flacco as the starter and Shedeur Sanders entering the season as the backup.
However, there’s another version of the story. Former NFL wide receiver and current analyst T.J. Houshmandzadeh spoke on the “Nightcap” show about the situation in Cleveland and believes the real competition is between Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.
“I don’t know how this is a fair competition. Someone inside the building, who is not a player, told me it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” said Houshmandzadeh.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has repeatedly stated that the competition is open, although deep down, he likely knows who his Week 1 quarterback will be.
“We’re so far away from that type of thought process,” Stefanski said during minicamp. “Honestly, we’re in our installation phase. It’s the offseason; it’s OTAs, so we’re going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course, you’re getting ready to play games and ultimately the season. But right now, that’s not our focus.”
The quarterback saga will be interesting to follow. Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson also revealed that the team is leaning toward Kenny Pickett, so the rumors will continue to grow-and it may no longer be a surprise to see the Steelers’ 2022 first-round pick as the Browns’ starter.
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