Since the Browns used a selection during the second and third days of the draft on a quarterback, questions have lingered about how they will sort out the position in 2025. Plenty of time remains for things to change on that front, but a few early indications have emerged. 
Rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are joined by trade acquisition Kenny Pickett and veteran Joe Flacco, re-acquired in free agency this spring. That quartet could shrink in size during roster cutdowns, but for the time being it can be expected to remain intact. Even in the wake of the Saints losing Derek Carr to retirement, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes no QB trade is being planned at this point.
If such a move were to be made, Cabot recently named Flacco as the passer likeliest to find himself on the move. For now, though, he is in position to compete for a spot on the depth chart upon returning to Cleveland. The 40-year-old helped guide the Browns to the postseason upon joining them midway through the 2023 campaign, and he represented a logical target to return this year. With Deshaun Watson unlikely to play in 2025 while rehabbing his second Achilles tear, Flacco could at least open the year as the starter with the rookies developing.
As Cabot adds, however, it is Pickett who appears to be the frontrunner heading into upcoming OTAs and June’s mandatory minicamp. The former Steelers first-rounder saw his Pittsburgh tenure end in short order after a disappointing spell atop the depth chart. His trade to the Eagles resulted in a one-year backup stint behind Jalen Hurts and a single start in Week 18. To no surprise, Cleveland declined Pickett’s fifth-year option for 2026, meaning he enters the year as a pending free agent.
In a separate piece, Cabot writes there will be a split of two QB pairings to divvy up reps during offseason work, which is a reasonable approach given the uncertainty surrounding the position. Pickett is slated to operate as the No. 1 (at least, to begin the process) and Cabot predicts he will be partnered with Gabriel. That would leave Flacco and Sanders alternating third-string reps, albeit with the potential to move up the pecking order depending on their performances.
Gabriel and Sanders will remain under team control through 2028 on the rookie deals, so the Browns can be expected to retain them well past this summer’s training camp. With Flacco and Pickett’s respective futures much less clear, though, it will be interesting to see how they fare during practice. The latter could help his market value to a great extent with a sustained QB1 run in Cleveland, and his audition period for the gig will begin soon.
The guy that Philly didn’t think could win the backup spot is now a starter? Cmon
Agree. They are trying to inflate his value in hopes of getting better trade when a QB gets hurt.
He wasn’t intended to start in Philadelphia. In Stefanski’s system Pickett should thrive….
Browns back to being the Browns after a 2 year hiatus
They can’t be serious. Pickett is the least talented QB they have on the roster, and has proven to be a woefully incapable leader. This is who they’re pencilling in as QB1?
Maybe they should just contract the Browns, expand again, and give Cleveland another chance with a new franchise that might have an inkling of a clue as to what it is doing.
Article never stated that Rodgers is out of the running…🤔
Or a trade for Cousins.
Kenny’s not good, but…from what I’ve seen, not sure what if anything Sanders does better.
Kenny’s got a weaker arm for the NFL, still stronger than Sanders. Kenny’s not a good athlete, still seems more athletic than Sanders. Etc.
It’s Mary Kay. She’s not very good at predicting things.
Flacco made his money in the NFL. Not sure why he’d want to stick this mess of a QB room. Sit on the couch in his boxer shorts and a glass of scotch, and wait for his agent to call mid-season.
Come on. They draft two QBs in five rounds of the draft and intend to sit both? What’s the possible point of even attempting to mislead the fans?