The Cleveland Browns are still observing their four quarterbacks before definitely naming one of them their starter. However, Kenny Pickett suffered an injury just as he was gaining momentum. He spoke to the press and he had some confident words to say as he battles Joe Flacco and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Pickett spoke on Saturday after the Browns practice, which he missed as he recovers from a hamstring injury. When asked about his determination and if his goal is still to start for this team, Pickett was clear.
“Yeah, 100% it is,” Pickett said. “I’m trying to get back out there, you know, as fast as possible. I’ve never had a soft tissue injury like this. I felt like I came in great shape, was hitting numbers speed wise that I’ve never hit before. So, it’s frustrating that it happened but you know, turn the page and just trying to be as good as I can be when I do return.” The rest of the quarterbacks can’t rest on their laurels, because Pickett is coming for everything.
Joe Flacco might be Pickett’s biggest rival
Reports before Pickett’s injury stated that it was Joe Flacco and him battling it out, with Flacco being a bit ahead of the former Steeler, but nothing decisive. This means Pickett needs to recover some ground against Flacco, as he was ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who missed last practice due to arm soreness.
Pickett has never shown elite skills in the NFL, but he has the opportunity to establish himself on the Browns. Flacco is 40 years old and doesn’t have that much time. He won’t improve as he is a finished product. Pickett is only 27 years old, he is entering what should be his prime. Sanders and Gabriel seem to green to start.
The Browns expectations fall solely on their quarterback
The Browns are facing a tough reality. All their hopes and season objectives fall in Stefanski’s decision of who will be the starting quarterback. They have a decent wide receiver corp in Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. The Browns have a top tight end like David Njoku. The running game of the team is a bit messy at the time due to rookie Quishon Judkins’ legal situation, but you get the point. They have some talent there.
The issue is that it’s not that much talent to carry a quarterback. Meaning, it’s enough talent to get carried by the quarterback, but not to disguise it. That’s why Stefanski picking the correct signal-caller is key for the Browns, it will make or break Cleveland’s season.