We’re very close to the start of the Cleveland Browns training camp. On Friday, Shedeur Sanders will be required to report along with the rookies, and four days later the veterans will join, officially kicking off the final battle for the Browns’ starting quarterback job.
In recent days, rumors have been swirling strongly that Kenny Pickett will be the starting quarterback. Pickett was the first QB signed by the Browns during the start of free agency, which is surprising to many since Joe Flacco was widely considered the leading candidate for the starting role just a few months ago.
In fact, betting odds still favor Joe Flacco, but a Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson leaked that head coach Kevin Stefanski has a preference and a liking for Kenny Pickett. So, it will be interesting to see next week who takes the QB1 reps when Cleveland’s training camp officially begins.
The Browns’ offensive coordinator faces a major challenge
Kevin Stefanski will be under the microscope to see how he handles the quarterback situation during training camp. He has repeatedly said it’s an “open competition,” but that may have been easy to say during OTAs. In training camp, he’ll need to commit to one guy quickly – and that player will most likely start in Week 1.
Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator, explained how he plans to manage the reps in a competition that features four quarterbacks:
“It’s a fluid process for all of them, right? Everyone’s getting opportunities with the first group. And look, we’re evaluating all positions, so saying ‘this is the first group, that’s the second’… we’re evaluating on the go, so everything matters. I think there’s a certain level of confidence when you look up and see Jerry Jeudy out there – that builds confidence, right? You look and see Poe (Ethan Pocic) leading the offensive line – that builds confidence too. So again, all of that is part of the process, part of the development for all these quarterbacks.”
For now, the only quarterback not getting team reps is Shedeur Sanders, which clearly indicates he is fourth on the depth chart at the moment. It will be very difficult for him to get a real opportunity over Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
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