Insider expands on why he thinks Browns will name this QB their Week 1 starter

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is among those who have suggested, since the Cleveland Browns left for their summer break in June, that veteran Joe Flacco is the favorite to emerge as the club's Week 1 starting quarterback. 

For a mailbag published on Thursday, Breer expanded on why he feels Flacco will ultimately win the four-way competition for the QB1 gig between Kenny Pickett, 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.

"That answer is based on how Flacco’s presence has resonated with his teammates, how the coaches more or less gave him what I’ve called a first-round bye through the spring in the quarterback competition and his experience in Kevin Stefanski’s system," Breer wrote. "On the flip side, because his practice reps have been so limited, and while the coaches have confidence in him, it’s hard to say exactly how effective he’s going to be."

Breer was referencing how Flacco had no first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills during Wednesday's practice. Flacco shouldn't need as much work with the starters since the 40-year-old is the only active quarterback on Cleveland's roster who has experience playing in Stefanski’s offense. During the 2023 season, Flacco notched four wins over five starts to guide the Browns to a playoff berth. 

Numerous reporters have stated that either Flacco or Pickett will start Cleveland's Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7, barring injury setbacks. On Wednesday, Stefanski acknowledged he'd "love to make a decision sooner rather than later" regarding his depth chart. 

"I’d reiterate, then, what I’ve said for a few months now, and that’s that Shedeur Sanders still has the most ground to make up, and starting Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel would likely lead to some scheme/play-calling adjustments versus what it would be with Flacco or Sanders taking the snaps," Breer continued. "Which, to me, indicates it’d be best if the Browns could narrow the competition early in camp, if it doesn’t happen right away."

Depending on how long New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is sidelined with the dislocated toe he suffered on Thursday, the Jets could call the Browns about a trade for either Flacco or Pickett. There's no sign Cleveland would trade Gabriel or Sanders before next offseason at the earliest.