Browns expected to make a bizarre QB decision after Flacco news

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws a pass as quarterback Joe Flacco (15) looks on during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns expected to make a bizarre QB decision after Joe Flacco news

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 2:28 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns have a starting quarterback; now they need to figure out what to do with the other five on the preseason roster.

Teams have until Aug. 26 to trim their roster down to 53 players for the regular season. Adam Schefter of ESPN believes the Browns are going to carry four quarterbacks on their roster after they named Joe Flacco as the starter on Monday.

"I expect the Cleveland Browns to carry four quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster. I expect to have four for there. They're going to keep both rookies (Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders). They're going to keep Flacco.

"So really talking about Kenny Pickett, and I expect he makes the roster."

There’s an increasing feeling that the Browns will carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. pic.twitter.com/tGwr4tvXOS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2025

Based on Schefter's prediction, the Browns will cut Tyler Huntley, who was brought in while Gabriel and Pickett dealt with hamstring injuries during training camp. Cleveland can also place Deshaun Watson on injured reserve, ending his season while he recovers from an Achilles rupture suffered last season.

It's a stretch for many teams to keep even three quarterbacks on a 53-man roster, with most opting to keep extra arms on the practice squad so they can keep other players available who can contribute to special teams.

The Browns have to double that this year after investing heavily in Pickett and Flacco in free agency and drafting two quarterbacks.

Schefter didn't rule out the possibility of a trade. However, he suggested the Browns are more likely to move Gabriel or Sanders than Pickett or Flacco.

The Browns are choosing to go into a regular season shorthanded at other spots so they have depth at the quarterback position that strikes no fear into the hearts of their opponents.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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