Insider names 'by far the best quarterback' on Browns roster this spring

Ever since the Cleveland Browns added rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to a quarterback room already occupied by Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has said that she believes Pickett should be seen as the front-runner to win the starting job this summer. 

Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand explained why he disagrees with such assessments. 

"Joe Flacco, yes, even at 40 years old, is by far the best quarterback on the roster," Grossi wrote about the Browns' upcoming competition. "He’s a physical freak, throws the best ball, executes the play-action game better than the others, avoids sacks and is loved by the locker room. He will get the fewest reps in training camp because he doesn’t need them to be ready for the 2025 season opener."

Flacco's popularity among Cleveland players stems from going 4-1 as a starter to guide the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth. Browns general manager Andrew Berry clearly believes head coach Kevin Stefanski can resurrect that version of Flacco after the one-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player was benched by the Indianapolis Colts following a pair of starts last season. 

"While Kenny Pickett might be the front office’s perceived favorite to start the season," Grossi continued, "he has to prove he can withstand the challenge of not only Flacco but the negative vibes of the fan base. He should receive the most reps in training camp. If he has a decent training camp, he could be trade bait because of his affordability, age and upward career path."

Pickett, 26, is in the final year of his inexpensive rookie deal and is with his third team since the Pittsburgh Steelers made him a first-round choice during the 2022 draft. He most recently spent the majority of the 2024 campaign serving as a backup for Philadelphia Eagles starter Jalen Hurts, but Pickett did win his lone start for Philadelphia in late December. 

As for Gabriel and Sanders, it seems unlikely the Browns would give up on either before the regular season gets underway. Berry has received criticism for drafting Gabriel with pick No. 94 after analysts projected that he'd be a third-day selection, but Grossi offered some high praise for the former Oregon star. 

"He is a mature rookie quarterback who appears easily adaptable to Stefanski’s play-action passing game," Grossi said about Gabriel. "At minicamp, Gabriel was decisive in his footwork, displayed good pocket presence and showed tremendous accuracy with his ball placement. He spins the ball as nicely as any QB I’ve seen in a Browns uniform."

Rumors about the Browns possibly trading Flacco or Pickett to the New Orleans Saints following the retirement of Derek Carr will likely hover over both clubs unless New Orleans either signs free agent Aaron Rodgers or names rookie Tyler Shough its starter this summer. As of early Monday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Flacco as a +116 betting favorite to be Cleveland's Week 1 QB1.