The Cleveland Browns continue to evaluate their crowded quarterback room, but the ongoing competition is making things increasingly complicated for the team’s wide receivers.
Veteran Joe Flacco, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are all in the mix for the starting job. The Browns have maintained that the job is up for grabs and are trying to distribute the reps in a way that makes it fair.
While the competition is fueling intensity at training camp, it’s also creating instability for Cleveland’s pass-catchers, who are catching balls from a rotating cast of signal-callers on a daily basis.
Browns top receiver, Jerry Jeudy, spoke candidly about the difficulty of building chemistry without a consistent quarterback.
“It is pretty difficult because you want to always build that relationship with a quarterback and have that consistency throughout the years,” Jeudy said. “But as a receiver going through that, you just got to keep working and you got to learn how to adjust no matter what. Some situations ain’t going to go as planned, so you just got to figure out how to just keep going and stay on the right path.”
Browns QBs Impressed With Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy arrived in Cleveland last offseason via trade and wasted no time making an impact. The former first-round pick put together a career-best season, hauling in 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite the Browns’ ongoing quarterback competition, Jeudy has earned high praise from all four contenders, none of whom he’s previously played with.
“He’s a really easy guy to throw to,” quarterback Kenny Pickett said. “I think it’s a good play whenever you’re throwing the ball to No. 3. So, we should keep doing a lot more of that. But Jerry’s an awesome guy. He works really hard. His communication with the quarterbacks is awesome. If he sees something or if I see something, the ability just to have that open dialogue and kind of being on the same page has been great …. I think it’s shown.”
Browns Need Jerry Jeudy to Take Another Step
For as good as Jeudy’s been, the Browns can see him reaching an even higher level during his second season in Cleveland.
“I think Jerry has room to grow,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think he would tell you that. There’s techniques that he’s working on. It was Year 1 for us with him, so getting a feel for the route concepts that he’s really good at, things that he can improve upon. But with Year 2 with a team, you’re constantly thinking about that next step. And that can come in a variety of ways, certainly usage and where we put him and how we use them and what position he’s playing and when you’re motioning and when you’re doing different things. I think those are all the types of things that can grow in Year 2.”
Jeudy will be the top receiver for the Browns and will be heavily relied upon. But there’s much uncertainty behind him on the depth chart.
The Browns are hoping that former third-round picks David Bell and Cedric Tillman can step up with more opportunities. Tillman was on a solid track last season but missed time with injury. In 11 games he caught 29 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Veteran Diontae Johnson will also get a chance to carve out a role. Jamari Thrash, Michael Woods II and DeAndre Carter will also be in the mix.