The Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback competition is heating up, and a frontrunner is starting to take shape ahead of the 2025 NFL season. With Deshaun Watson sidelined by a season-ending Achilles injury, the team is looking to a crowded quarterback room to determine its Week 1 starter. According to recent reports, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is gaining traction as the leading candidate to take the helm for Cleveland’s season opener.
Pickett, acquired by the Browns in a trade during the 2024 offseason, has impressed coaches with his poise and command of the offense during early workouts. NFL insider Mary Kay Cabot noted, “Kenny Pickett has been the betting favorite since the draft, and he’s done nothing to lose that edge.”
His experience as a two-year starter in Pittsburgh, where he posted a 14-10 record, gives him a leg up in a field that includes veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, both selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Browns’ quarterback situation has been a focal point of discussion, especially after Watson’s injury and a disappointing 2024 campaign that left Cleveland with a 2-7 record by Week 10. Pickett’s familiarity with the AFC North, combined with his ability to manage games, makes him a strong fit for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system. “Pickett’s shown he can handle pressure in this division,” Cabot added, highlighting his edge over Flacco, who at 40 may serve as a mentor, and the untested rookies.
Kenny Pickett steals the show in Browns’ wild QB battle
Sanders, a fifth-round pick, and Gabriel, a third-round selection, bring potential but lack NFL experience. Sanders, guided by his father, Deion Sanders, has drawn attention for his college pedigree at Colorado, but his draft slide to Day 3 raised questions about his readiness. Gabriel, meanwhile, offers mobility and a quick release, but insiders suggest he’s more likely a developmental prospect. Posts on X reflect fan buzz, with one user stating, “Pickett’s the safe bet for Week 1, but Sanders could steal the show by midseason.”
Cleveland’s offense, which struggled to score 20 points in recent games, needs stability. Pickett’s 7,360 passing yards and 39 touchdowns in college at Pitt, paired with his pro experience, position him as the immediate answer. As the Browns prepare for rookie minicamps and a tough 2025 schedule, all eyes are on Pickett to seize the opportunity. Whether he locks down the role or faces a challenge from the rookies, the quarterback battle promises to keep Browns fans on the edge of their seats.
Joe Flacco is in prime position to be the Browns starting QB for Week 1, per @albert_breer.
Cleveland drafted both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but Breer says it’s Flacco’s job to lose, and the only way either rookie changes that is by hitting the ground running now, not… pic.twitter.com/UZ3MBsxc7U
? IG: NFLPreme (@premefootball) May 7, 2025
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