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Browns Send Clear Message on Plans for Starting QB in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 9:12 AM ET

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already used the trade and free-agent markets to add quarterbacks this offseason, and there is a good chance he will acquire another in next week's NFL draft.

But as of now, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and a still-injured Deshaun Watson are the three signal callers currently occupying the Browns QB room. Berry spoke with media members on Thursday, April 17, about the team's plans for determining a starter in the coming weeks and months.

“It’s about breeding competition," Berry explained. "All those individuals will have a chance to compete to be the starter."

The GM went on to discuss Flacco and Pickett in detail.

“We know Joe. He fits in the system. We think he’s a quarterback that can fit in any of the spots of the QB room -- whether he’s a short-term starter, whether he’s in the backup quarterback role," Berry said. "[Pickett is a] younger guy, mobile, very smart, protects the ball -- think there’s more physical ability in him. A guy we did a lot of work on in that draft process and obviously saw him twice a year when he was in Pittsburgh, and so we think there’s more to get out of him there."

Cleveland named Watson the starter in each of the previous three years. But Watson has struggled when he's been on the field and missed more time than not in each of his three seasons with the team, either because of suspensions or injuries.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted earlier this offseason that trading three first-round picks -- plus several other draft assets -- for Watson, then signing him to a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million over five years was a mistake. As such, it is unlikely Watson will return to the QB1 spot, if he returns at all in 2025, after tearing his Achilles tendon twice over the past several months.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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