Where the Browns Quarterback Battle Stands After Week One of Camp

Joe Flacco: The Seasoned Veteran Returns

Joe Flacco is the unquestioned elder statesman of the group, entering his 18th NFL season at 40 years old. This is Flacco’s second stint in Cleveland, as fans remember his brief but memorable run late in 2023 when he stepped in as a starter and helped the Browns make an unlikely playoff push.

Despite his heroics two seasons ago, Flacco wasn’t simply handed the starting job upon re-signing in April (on a one-year, $4 million deal). Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry made it clear Flacco would have to compete like everyone else. In early camp practices, Flacco initially took fewer reps, which was by design to give the younger players more work, but that changed as the week went on.

On Day 2 of camp, Flacco split first-team snaps with the younger quarterbacks. And when one competitor suffered a minor injury (more on that soon), Flacco assumed the majority of first-team reps as the default starter.

Flacco’s case to start rests on his experience and arm talent. He still “looks the same” throwing the football as he did before, Stefanski observed in the spring. The vertical passing game has more juice with Flacco, and his willingness to push the ball downfield could invigorate a Browns offense that ranked just 22nd in passing yards last year. On the flip side, the veteran must show he can care for the ball and move the offense efficiently.

In his 2023 run, Flacco tossed 8 interceptions in five games (including two pick-sixes in the playoff loss to the Houston Texans). Ball security and mobility are not his strengths at this stage. Still, teammates trust Flacco’s savvy, and he’s clearly comfortable in Stefanski’s system. “He looks the same to me,” Stefanski said, expressing confidence in Flacco’s arm. As camp progresses, Flacco’s steadiness under pressure could give him an edge, but he’ll have to fend off challengers literally half his age.

Kenny Pickett: Another Chance to Shine

If Flacco represents the past, Kenny Pickett might represent the future – or at least, the former future of a division rival. The Browns’ acquisition of Pickett this offseason turned heads around the league. Pickett was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick in 2022, but after an up-and-down start to his career, he’s already on his third team in four seasons.

Cleveland aggressively traded for Pickett in March, sending a fifth-round draft pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles to bring Pickett aboard. Clearly, the Browns’ front office saw something worth taking a chance on.

Berry spoke highly of Pickett’s qualities, praising him as “a good decision-maker” with mobility and an ability to protect the ball. The Browns believe Pickett’s skill set can fit Stefanski’s offense well, and that a change of scenery could unlock the potential he flashed at the University of Pittsburgh.

On the practice field, Pickett has been given every opportunity to stake his claim. He opened camp taking all the first-team reps on Day 1, and by the third practice had logged a large share of snaps with the starters.

Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave noted that Pickett’s first two days of camp were “stellar”, lauding the young quarterback’s accuracy on the move. Musgrave did acknowledge a learning moment, as Pickett threw an interception by being a tick late on a read, a mistake the coach actually welcomed as a chance for improvement. Overall, Pickett appeared sharp early, especially in red-zone drills where he fired a pair of touchdown passes in one practice.

Unfortunately, momentum slowed when Pickett tweaked a hamstring near the end of the first week. An MRI confirmed the injury, and while it’s not serious, the team is being cautious. Stefanski said there’s no timeline and is taking it day by day. The silver lining for Cleveland is that Pickett’s downtime has given their rookies more reps. Once healthy, Pickett will be reevaluated later in camp, and the hope is he returns in time to play in preseason games.

He remains very much in the mix, and perhaps even the slight favorite if he continues to progress. The Browns declined Pickett’s fifth-year contract option, meaning he’s on the last year of his rookie deal. For Pickett, 2025 is a golden opportunity to revive his career. His combination of youth, mobility, and starting experience could give him an edge over Flacco’s aging arm when he can get back on the field and pick up where he left off.

Dillon Gabriel: Rookie Wild Card with Upside

The Browns surprised many draft observers by selecting Dillon Gabriel in the third round this past April. Gabriel, an Oklahoma product (by way of UCF), wasn’t projected by most as a Day 2 pick, but Cleveland clearly fell in love with him during the pre-draft process.

Berry and Stefanski have praised Gabriel’s well-rounded game and extensive college experience. Not only did Gabriel put up gaudy numbers in multiple offensive systems, but his ability to adapt is impressive, as he played for several coaches and schemes in college, which suggests a mental toughness the Browns value.

At just 5-foot-11, Gabriel is on the shorter side for an NFL quarterback, but the team didn’t view his height as an issue at all. Stefanski pointed out that successful quarterbacks come in different shapes and sizes, and he lauded Gabriel’s innate feel for moving in the pocket and finding throwing lanes despite his stature.

Throughout spring OTAs and minicamp, the Browns gave Gabriel a hefty dose of work with the starters. That continued once training camp opened, as he’s been rotating in with the first-team offense at times, especially once Pickett got nicked up. By the second day of camp, Gabriel was already seeing some first-team reps (as Stefanski promised would happen).

He has also shared second-team duties with Shedeur Sanders, alternating series to maximize their snaps. Gabriel has shown flashes of why Cleveland invested in him: a quick release, good anticipation, and surprising zip on intermediate throws. In one practice, he even led a two-minute drill that impressed coaches with his command.

Gabriel’s draft status makes him the more valuable asset, which could give him extra job security. He won’t be cut, and it’s unlikely the Browns would risk trying to stash a third-round quarterback on the practice squad. That means Gabriel is almost certainly sticking around, either as the starter or a backup. His preseason performance will be pivotal: if he outplays the vets in August action, don’t count out this poised rookie as a dark-horse contender to start Week 1.

Shedeur Sanders: Developmental Talent Turning Heads

Rounding out this quartet is Shedeur Sanders, arguably the most intriguing name of all. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur was once touted as a potential top-five pick. But after an up-and-down final college season at Colorado, in addition to pre-draft drama, he fell to the fifth round of the draft (No. 144 overall), where Cleveland snagged him.

At just 23 years old, Sanders is brimming with raw talent and carries a bit of a spotlight thanks to his famous father. Initially, the assumption was that he’d be brought along slowly as a developmental project in a crowded room. Indeed, through spring practices, Sanders did not receive any snaps with the first-team offense in the sessions open to media, which Stefanski explained was because they were in install mode and not to read into it.

Fast forward to training camp, and Sanders is starting to make his presence felt. While he opened camp running the third-team offense, he’s shown steady improvement each day and taken advantage of every rep. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised Shedeur’s work ethic in learning the playbook and refining his command of the huddle.

“He’s worked his tail off,” Rees said in June, noting how the game has begun to slow down for Sanders as he grasps the system. That preparation paid dividends in live action: during a red-zone focused practice on July 26, Sanders lit up the field with three touchdown passes in team drills, including a beautiful deep strike that drew cheers from teammates. Even before Pickett’s injury, Sanders had started mixing in for a handful of second-team snaps as camp progressed.

Early on, Sanders did look like the odd man out in terms of the starting job, simply due to a lack of opportunities with the first team. But the door may be cracking open. Pickett’s hamstring issue pressed Sanders into a larger role for the time being. Coaches have begun giving him a few reps with higher units to see how he handles it. The big question is whether Sanders can do enough in August to secure a roster spot and perhaps the No. 2 job.

For Sanders to stick, he’ll need to keep impressing in preseason games and prove he’s not far behind Gabriel in development. The good news is the talent is evident: he’s got a strong arm, good size, and a poise that goes beyond his youth.

Even if he doesn’t win the starting gig, the Browns may decide Sanders has more long-term upside than carrying a 40-year-old backup. His performance in joint practices and exhibition action will be must-watch. By all accounts, Shedeur is embracing the challenge and absorbing everything in this competition.

The Early Edge? Bet on Flacco… for Now

If we’re making an educated guess right now, the safest bet is Joe Flacco starting Week 1. He’s healthy, familiar with the offense, and hasn’t missed a beat physically. That doesn’t mean he finishes the season as the starter, but with Kenny Pickett nursing a hamstring and the rookies still stacking reps, Flacco offers the most stability heading into September. If Pickett returns soon and flashes in preseason, that could change. But as of today, the veteran has the slight edge in a race that’s far from over.

For now, all four quarterbacks remain on the roster and in the fight. After a 3-14 disappointment last season, Cleveland is signaling that no one’s job is safe and the best player will play, pedigree aside. This high-stakes competition may seem a tad bit chaotic, yet it could unearth the resilient leader the franchise desperately needs.

Browns fans have been through decades of quarterback turmoil, but perhaps this unconventional contest will finally yield a winner. As of now, the only certainty is that every throw, every drive, every preseason snap will matter and be under a microscope.

Stay tuned, because this four-man battle royale is just getting started, and anything can happen in the weeks ahead.