On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Cleveland Browns kicked off mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which will run through Thursday. After that, players will be off until training camp begins in July.
As expected, much of the focus was on the four healthy quarterbacks, who rotated through drills. With it still being the offseason program (OTAs), the Browns took an approach aimed at maximizing reps and evaluation opportunities.
Kenny Pickett, along with rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, represent the younger quarterbacks in the room. Joe Flacco, who has experience with the team, is someone that head coach Kevin Stefanski is plenty familiar with. On Tuesday, the Browns intentionally limited Flacco’s reps to get a better look at the other quarterbacks.
“We try to be intentional about everything,” Stefanski said after practice. “Certainly, Joe had fewer reps today. That’s obviously on purpose. Just trying to get as much evaluation on the guys as we can.”
First day of #Browns minicamp ends with
— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) June 10, 2025
a Shedeur Sanders completion one yard short of a TD.
He and Dillon Gabriel keep improving from Rookie camp and OTAs. Joe Flacco received the least amount of total reps today. That’s all by design.@fox8news pic.twitter.com/bllviDleu1
Flacco started six games for the Browns in 2023, including the playoffs, and boosted the offense with 13 passing touchdowns and over 1,600 passing yards. The longtime veteran is still capable of providing solid quarterback play, and the Browns will gladly take that—especially given their recent instability at the position. While Flacco could start the season, getting reps for the potential future at quarterback is a priority.
Cleveland needs to evaluate third-round pick Gabriel and fifth-round pick Sanders during their rookie seasons to gauge their developmental ceilings. With two first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, this season will be crucial in determining whether either rookie can be the long-term answer.
Limiting Flacco’s snaps is the right move for a player whose abilities are already well known. Cleveland’s approach here is deliberate—and expected.
More must-reads:
- NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
- Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Bengals finally reach agreement with first-rounder Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals have finally reached an agreement with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, putting an end to what became the story of the offseason for the team. Stewart, drafted 17th overall in this year's draft, has finally agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million deal that includes a $10.4 million signing bonus, according to his agent Zac Hiller of LAA. Now with this deal done, every first-round pick is signed. The road to this deal was a bumpy ride. For months, negotiations between Stewart’s camp and the Bengals front office stalled due to disagreements over contract language, particularly around guarantees. The team pushed to include contract language that could void the deal under certain off-field circumstances, but since other Bengals first-round picks did not face similar terms, Stewart stood firm and refused to sign. Both sides remained firm throughout the offseason, leading to a long standoff and a lot of reports of frustration from both sides. Despite the frustration and disagreement, the Bengals and Stewart’s group continued to engage in conversations, trying to find a resolution to the issue. And finally, after weeks of back and forth and weeks of controversy surrounding what Stewart may be forced to do, both parties appear to have met in the middle and found common ground. For the Bengals, getting Stewart signed and ready for training camp is a major win. Stewart was viewed as a developmental prospect who needed plenty of on-field reps to reach his full potential. Stewart's absence from earlier camps had slowed a lot of his progress. With the contract dispute resolved, he can now focus entirely on gaining important reps and continuing his development over the coming weeks. Now with this contract done and over with, the team can put their full focus on Trey Hendrickson, who is also seeking a long term deal. If the Bengals can get a deal done with Trey before the season kicks off, they would secure their edge-rushing room for not only 2025, but for years beyond. For a team looking to go all in on making the playoffs, signing Stewart was long overdue. Now it will be vital for the team to get Stewart up to speed with the rest of the roster, and allow him to get as many reps as possible before the 2025 season begins.
Knicks, Warriors Could Make Blockbuster All-Star Trade
The New York Knicks are a team that has been thrown around in trade rumors all offseason long. The Knicks were eliminated in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers and are looking for any way imaginable to get back in the thick of things for next season's playoff run. Sporting News analyst Tyler Rourke suggested a trade that would send Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns to the Golden State Warriors for Jimmy Butler and Quinten Post. "Towns could be holding Jalen Brunson and the rest of the roster back with his high volume of shots, which is why the front office may be willing to deal him to another team — despite just landing him ahead of the 2024-25 season," Rourke wrote. "If that is the case, the Golden State Warriors would be the perfect option, and all it would take is his former teammate, Jimmy Butler and Quinten Post." "The Knicks have built a tough defensive identity with players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson. Adding Butler to that group would solidify the best defensive unit in the league." "While Post doesn’t have the name value as Towns, he does have the ability to stretch the floor as a big man and will require less usage." The Knicks have uncertainty with Towns coming up in the final three years of his deal, so getting him out in favor of Butler would give the team more flexibility down the line. That being said, Towns can still be one of the best players in the NBA, especially at the center position. The Knicks made a big trade for Towns less than a year ago, so dealing him would not be something that the team should take lightly.
Report: Steelers Brought In Big Name Safety For Free Agent Visit
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been looking to improve their safety depth after trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick. On Day 2 of training camp, they signed Chuck Clark, a safety that previously played for the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. He will now be teaming up with another ex-Raven in DeShon Elliott. Pittsburgh has been loading their defense with players whom Baltimore let walk in free agency over the past two offseasons. It continues with Clark, and it could potentially keep going, with more players still available. Ari Meirov recently posted that on the same day as the Clark signing, the Steelers brought in safety Marcus Williams for a visit as well. Williams spent the previous three seasons with the Ravens, where he has dealt with injuries and inconsistencies. He has yet to play in more than 11 games in a season with Baltimore, which is likely why he is still available as July comes to a close. He had just 33 tackles and two passes defended in 2024, as he appears to be on the decline at this point in his career. Williams would most likely be a depth piece in this case. Elliott will be one starter, and there will be a training camp battle between Clark and Juan Thornhill for the other spot. Even with three capable safeties being on the roster, you can never have too much depth, so bringing in someone like Williams likely wouldn't hurt at all, especially with Thornhill's injury history. The more, the merrier. Steelers Keep Going To Ravens Well For Defense As mentioned before, Williams would join Clark and Elliott as former Raven safeties to wear the Black and Gold as they all reunite in Pittsburgh. They are not the only ones to switch sides in this heated rivalry, however. The Steelers have also signed Malik Harrison during free agency in 2025 to add to the linebacker core as a run-stuffer. Jeremiah Moon was claimed off waivers from Baltimore by Pittsburgh early in the 2024 offseason. The Steelers also grabbed a Baltimore linebacker to be the quarterback of their defense. Patrick Queen was given a three-year deal in the 2024 free agency period to be the primary communicator of the unit. While that did not work out too well that year, hopefully can be better with another year in the system while also being surrounded by more of his former teammates from the Chesapeake.
Lakers Receive Massive Jarred Vanderbilt Update Ahead of Upcoming Season
The Los Angeles Lakers will seem to enter the upcoming season with virtually the same roster, minus some key additions. More news: Lakers Insider Urges Team to Make Major Change to Starting Five The Lakers have only lost one player this offseason and added three new players who could play vital roles for the team. While that is the case, the core remains intact, led by the likes of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura. Whether the current roster is enough to compete in the loaded Western Conference remains to be seen. The Lakers' top three are as good as it gets in the NBA; however, the questions lie more with the others for the purple and gold. The Lakers' depth is not as strong, which is one of the primary reasons they fell short in the first round of the playoffs last season. One of their key players who didn't step up when needed most was forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who has had difficulty staying on the court. Injuries for the last two seasons have riddled Vanderbilt, but it appears that they are no longer affecting him, at least this offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Vanderbilt is healthier now than he's been for the past handful of offseasons. “I’m also hearing Jarred Vanderbilt is healthier now than he was at any point last season, which will naturally spark hope that the versatile forward seems like an offseason addition himself when training camp opens in late September.” More news: Lakers’ Luka Doncic Has Reportedly Already Agreed to Massive Contract Extension With LA The Lakers traded for the defensive-minded forward in February 2023. He came out of the gates hot in the purple and gold and established himself as a fan favorite. However, after the 2022-23 season, Vanderbilt was dealing with a severe foot injury heading into the 2023-24 season. That season, he was held to 29 games with six starts. Vanderbilt missed the back half of the season and the playoffs. As for the 2024-25 season, the 26-year-old was held to 36 games after making his season debut in January 2025. While he was on the court, it was clear that he was not the same player that the Lakers had traded for in 2023. Vanderbilt will now enter the second season of his four-year, $48 million contract with the Lakers. More news: Lakers’ Shake Milton Already Finds New Home Days After Release, Signs 2-Year Deal For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
