Reporter says 'all signs are pointing to' Browns naming this QB their starter

It seemed to outsiders that Kenny Pickett missing some training-camp practices with a worrisome hamstring injury put veteran Joe Flacco on track to serve as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback for at least Cleveland's Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.

During a recent edition of the "Orange and Brown Talk Podcast," Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer shared that "all signs are pointing to" Cleveland ending August with Flacco atop the depth chart.

"I just think right now it’s Joe’s job to lose," Cabot added.

While Pickett's setback gave 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders opportunities to impress during practices, Flacco seems to be in no danger of losing the gig to either rookie. For an article published on Sunday night, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand predicted that Flacco will start against the Bengals in Week 1 and that Sanders will get the nod for the Browns' regular-season finale against Cincinnati in early January.

For a piece posted on Monday morning, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN noted that "Pickett's hamstring injury has seemingly paved the way for Flacco to lead the starting offense and stake his claim to be the starter." Around the same time that article went public, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as the betting favorite at -215 odds to emerge as Cleveland's Week 1 QB1. Pickett was at +340 odds, followed by Gabriel (+600 odds) and Sanders (+2000). 

Per Bobby Kownack of the NFL's website, Sanders was held out of Saturday's practice due to arm soreness. It's unclear if Pickett or Sanders will play in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers this coming Friday. 

"It really feels like he has seized some of this momentum," Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said about Flacco during the podcast episode. 

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and veteran Cleveland players are clearly comfortable with having Flacco in the lineup after the 40-year-old won four of five starts during the 2023 season to help the team reach the playoffs. Stefanski could make a change if the Browns have a losing record when they enter their Week 9 bye later this fall, but it certainly sounds like Flacco could put the summer competition to bed before Cleveland plays at the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 16.