The quarterback position in the NFL has long been one of the most scrutinized, discussed, and strategically managed roles in professional sports. For the Cleveland Browns, this scrutiny has often taken on a tone of frustration, as the franchise has endured decades of quarterback turnover, inconsistent performances, and dashed hopes. But as the Browns gear up for the 2025 NFL season, there’s a fresh wave of intrigue and competition emerging in Berea, Ohio. The quarterback carousel, long a symbol of the franchise’s instability, has once again begun to spin—but this time, there’s a sense that it might actually be leading somewhere promising. At the center of this competition stands Kenny Pickett, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, who has surprisingly emerged as the front-runner heading into training camp.
According to veteran Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Pickett is expected to take the first reps with the starting offense when training camp opens. This isn’t a proclamation of him being the Week 1 starter, nor is it a sign that the competition is over before it starts. Rather, it’s a reflection of a complex quarterback situation where every decision, every throw, and every huddle matters. It’s a microcosm of a larger plan unfolding under head coach Kevin Stefanski’s leadership—a plan that balances immediate competitiveness with long-term development.
The quarterback room in Cleveland is unlike any other in the league at the moment. It’s composed of two experienced veterans—Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco—who have both tasted the postseason, and two dynamic rookies—Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel—each of whom brings a unique blend of athleticism, leadership, and untapped potential. This dynamic sets up an unusual training camp environment, where reps are split across two fields, and quarterbacks rotate through drills that will be closely monitored by coaches, analysts, and fans alike.
Kenny Pickett’s position at the top of the depth chart is noteworthy, not just because of what it says about him, but because of what it says about where the Browns currently stand. Pickett’s career thus far has been a mixture of promise and inconsistency. After being selected in the first round by the Steelers in 2022, he showed flashes of competence and leadership but never quite put it all together. Injuries, offensive line woes, and a shaky coordinator situation in Pittsburgh made it difficult for him to develop fully. When the Steelers decided to move in a different direction, the Browns swooped in, recognizing that Pickett still held value and perhaps just needed a change of scenery.
The Browns are hoping that the environment in Berea—marked by a more stable coaching staff, a solid offensive line, and a patient approach to quarterback development—can bring out the best in Pickett. But they also know that this is not a one-man show. Joe Flacco, the wily veteran who stepped in during the 2024 season and delivered some gutsy performances, remains on the roster. Flacco’s leadership, experience, and familiarity with Stefanski’s system make him an important asset, especially as a mentor to the younger quarterbacks. His playoff win last season cemented his value to the team, and while he may not be the future, he could still be a bridge—if needed.
Yet, the real excitement in Cleveland circles centers around the rookies. Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, brings not just name recognition but also a strong football IQ and a competitive edge forged under the intense spotlight of college football’s brightest stages. Sanders has been described as methodical, cerebral, and poised beyond his years. He’s not being rushed into the starting role, and that’s by design. The Browns believe that Sanders could be a franchise quarterback in time, but they want to bring him along carefully. That means giving him meaningful reps in camp, allowing him to learn from veterans like Pickett and Flacco, and assessing his growth without throwing him into the fire too early.
Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, is a different kind of project. A dual-threat quarterback with excellent mobility and a live arm, Gabriel played in multiple offensive systems during his college career, showing adaptability and resilience. His transition to the pro level will require fine-tuning, particularly when it comes to reading NFL defenses and making throws into tight windows. But like Sanders, Gabriel offers the kind of raw potential that could pay off in a big way down the line. Stefanski and his staff are tasked with molding both young quarterbacks into viable NFL starters—no small feat, but one that could redefine the trajectory of the franchise.
The current setup—with two veterans and two rookies sharing reps—presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, the competition can bring out the best in everyone. Players are forced to elevate their play, knowing that nothing is guaranteed. This can create a healthy, productive camp environment where complacency has no place. On the other hand, it requires careful management to ensure that reps are distributed fairly, that each quarterback has a chance to showcase his abilities, and that the team doesn’t suffer from a lack of continuity or cohesion.
Kenny Pickett’s slight edge, as described by Cabot, comes from a combination of familiarity with the speed of the NFL game, offseason work with the Browns’ coaching staff, and the simple reality that someone has to take the first snap. But even that edge is tenuous. Stefanski has made it clear that the competition is wide open, and that nothing is set in stone. This is not a situation where the coaching staff is locking in on a single quarterback and merely paying lip service to the idea of competition. Every throw will be evaluated, every decision will be dissected, and every scrimmage will carry weight.
This intense level of scrutiny can either break a young quarterback or forge him into a leader. For Pickett, it’s a second chance to establish himself as a starter in the NFL. For Flacco, it’s about proving he still has something left in the tank and can be more than just a backup. For Sanders and Gabriel, it’s about learning, adjusting, and making the most of every opportunity. The stakes are high, but so is the potential reward.
From a strategic perspective, the Browns’ approach to the quarterback position reflects a broader trend in the NFL: the blending of immediate competitiveness with developmental foresight. Rather than hitching their hopes to a single quarterback and hoping it works out, Cleveland is building a quarterback room that can evolve over time. If Pickett succeeds, great—the team has found a young starter with room to grow. If not, the presence of Flacco offers stability, and the rookies provide long-term upside.
This flexibility is important in today’s NFL, where injuries, regression, and unpredictable circumstances can derail even the most well-laid plans. By maintaining depth and optionality at the quarterback position, the Browns are insulating themselves from disaster and giving themselves multiple paths to success. It’s a calculated risk—one that requires precise execution—but it could be the key to finally stabilizing the most important position in sports.
It’s also worth noting the cultural shift taking place within the Browns organization. For years, the franchise was known for its dysfunction, coaching turnover, and poor draft decisions. But under Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, there’s a growing sense of purpose. The roster is better constructed. The coaching staff is more consistent. The front office appears to have a vision and the patience to see it through. The quarterback competition unfolding in Berea is a reflection of this newfound strategic clarity.
Even fans, long weary of the constant upheaval, seem cautiously optimistic. There’s genuine intrigue surrounding the rookies, respect for what Flacco brought to the team last year, and hope that Pickett might finally put it all together. The fanbase has been through so much heartbreak that measured optimism feels like a luxury. But that’s exactly what the Browns are offering—a reason to believe that this time might be different.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Injuries can happen. Progress can stall. A promising rookie might not pan out. But by creating a competitive, developmental environment, the Browns are doing everything within their control to give themselves the best possible chance at success. They’re not rushing Sanders or Gabriel, but they’re not hiding them either. They’re giving Pickett the first look, but they’re making it clear that he’ll have to earn every snap. They’re keeping Flacco in the fold, not as a crutch, but as a steadying presence. It’s a nuanced, balanced approach that reflects a maturing franchise.
As training camp continues, the spotlight will remain firmly on the quarterback position. Media reports will dissect every pass, every interception, every red zone drill. Social media will buzz with speculation. Fans will debate who should start, who should sit, and who represents the future. Through it all, the Browns coaching staff will keep evaluating, teaching, and preparing. Because while the present matters, the long-term vision matters even more.
Kenny Pickett may have the first opportunity, but he knows better than anyone that the competition is fierce. The other quarterbacks in the room are not just bodies—they’re legitimate threats, future stars, and seasoned leaders. Every rep matters, and every mistake is magnified. That kind of pressure can be paralyzing, or it can be galvanizing. For Pickett, it’s a chance to prove that he belongs—not just in the league, but at the top of the depth chart.
In the end, the Browns’ quarterback situation is less about who wins the job today, and more about building a foundation for tomorrow. If Cleveland plays this right, the carousel might finally stop spinning—and the team might finally have the steady hand at quarterback that it’s been searching for since the days of Bernie Kosar. The journey is just beginning, but the signs are promising. And for Browns fans, that alone is worth celebrating.
