The Cleveland Browns‘ crowded quarterback competition may not be as wide open as initially thought, which could spell trouble for veteran Joe Flacco.
The Browns are staging what they’ve framed as a wide-open four-man competition for the starting quarterback role. The group includes Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Former NFL wide receiver and current analyst T.J. Houshmandzadeh shared on a recent episode of “Nightcap” that the Browns’ competition is shaping up as a two-man race — and Flacco isn’t one of them.
“I don’t know how this is a fair competition. I was told by somebody in the building, who is not a player, that it is really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” Houshmandzadeh said.
“I was told by somebody that’s in the building, that ain’t a player, it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” – @housh84 via @NightcapShow_ on the Browns QB competition.
Thoughts?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has stressed that the team is taking a patient approach as they make their decision.
“We’re so far away from that type of thought process,” Stefanski said during minicamp. “Honestly, we’re in our installation phase. It’s the offseason; it’s OTAs, so we’re going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course you’re getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready for playing the season. But right now that’s not our focus.”
Browns Traded for Kenny Pickett Early in Offseason
Houshmandzadeh’s recent comments point to a quarterback competition that’s tilting toward the younger options on the Browns’ roster and also aligns with how Cleveland assembled the room.
The Browns traded for Pickett in March, signaling a clear interest in his potential. They selected Gabriel in the third round after extensive scouting on the former Oregon standout.
“We spent a lot of time with Dillon throughout this process, brought him in right after the combine, did obviously the private visit and workouts out in Eugene (Oregon),” Browns GM Andrew Berry said after the draft. “Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with anticipation, good mobility. We just thought he had a really well-rounded game.”
The Browns then took a flier on Sanders two rounds later at pick No. 144 after passing on him six times. Cleveland said the value at that point was too good to pass up.
“We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft,” Berry said. “Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it’s a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot.”
Flacco, who signed later in free agency, remains the most experienced option and offers a proven track record. He went 4-1 as a starter in 2023, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns. But at 40, Flacco may be more of an insurance policy than a long-term solution.
Browns Navigating Complicated QB Competition
Finding a balance with snaps is a hard thing to do in a four-man quarterback competition. Flacco hasn’t received a ton of work in OTAs and minicamp but he trusts in the plan Stefanski and Co. have laid out.
“I don’t know what the plan is exactly. But you know, I trust Kevin and that he has a plan for all this and that’s really all I can do,” Flacco said. “I’d love to go out there and take 120 reps a day and get in the groove and do all those things, but like I said, the coaches have a plan, Kevin has a plan, and my job is to just trust that, go out there and do the best I can.”
The Browns will assemble for training camp in late July. The rookies report on July 18, followed by the veterans on July 22. The Browns have three preseason games, starting with a tilt against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8.
