The Cleveland Browns’ training camp has turned into a real show. The team’s head coach, Kevin Stefanski, has said that the competition for the starting quarterback job is “open.” However, that may just be something he says to keep the other players hopeful-because in his mind, the name Joe Flacco might already be penciled in.
Joe Flacco is the only Browns quarterback with experience in Kevin Stefanski’s system, after playing five games with them in 2023, winning four and losing one during the regular season, helping the team secure a playoff spot. In those games, Flacco surprised everyone by throwing 13 touchdown passes and showing great chemistry with David Njoku.
The other contenders for the position are Kenny Pickett, who was the first quarterback the franchise signed at the start of free agency-in fact, they brought him in through a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Draft, they ended up selecting two quarterbacks: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the subject and gave his opinion
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was asked about the Browns’ quarterback controversy and believes that the starter will be Joe Flacco, but that Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders could get a chance if things don’t start well.
“If I were a betting man, I’d say Joe Flacco will begin the year as the starter,” Fitzpatrick said Thursday on Good Morning Football. “He’s got a track record there, he’s had a lot of success, and I think it’s a great story. He’s a guy who brings calm, someone who can help put the team on the right track from the start.”
For Ryan Fitzpatrick, the window of opportunity for Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel would open after Week 7-essentially in the second half of the season.
“As the season goes on, when you draft young guys and have exciting players-I know they’re excited about [Dillon Gabriel]-we might see him enter the lineup, say, in Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, if they’ve lost a few games. As someone who’s been a bridge quarterback in his career… you look at the bye week, and that’s usually when they replace you.”
What’s certain is that time is running out for Gabriel and Sanders, as the Cleveland Browns are among the favorites to finish with the worst record in the league, along with the Saints-which could likely lead them to select another quarterback in the 2026 Draft.
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