The starting quarterback battle has begun for the Cleveland Browns. With Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco as the potential frontrunners, head coach Kevin Stefanski has shared a key update on the matter.
It’s shaping up to be a tough offseason for the Browns. The AFC North team has several pressing issues to address, but the biggest one centers on who will lead the offense in the upcoming campaign.
As of now, the Browns have five quarterbacks competing for the starting role. Many believe Joe Flacco is the frontrunner, but HC Kevin Stefanski has declined to confirm whether the veteran will start the 2025 NFL season.
Kevin Stefanski gives major update on Browns’ quarterback competition
The upcoming season could prove decisive for Kevin Stefanski. According to reports, his future as the Browns’ head coach may depend on how the team performs this year—making every decision critical.
One of Stefanski’s top priorities this summer is naming the starting quarterback. He has five options on the table, but only one will lead the offense when the season begins.
The roster features three experienced quarterbacks—Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Pickett. In addition, the Browns have two promising rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, adding more intrigue to the competition.
Gabriel and Sanders are likely battling each other for a spot on the final 53-man roster. However, Stefanski has not ruled out keeping both, noting that they’ve impressed him during recent practices.
“Those guys are doing great,” Stefanski said about Sanders and Gabriel. “They are both wired to get in early, stay late, put in whatever work is required. They’re sponges in the meeting room, which I think is really fun for me. In my vantage point, I get to sit there and watch the two young guys look over and there’s Joe, 40 years old, won a Super Bowl. There’s Kenny Pickett, just going into year four, but first round draft pick. That’s been on a couple teams, won a Super Bowl last year. There’s Deshaun, had a ton of success in his career. They can kind of feed off of all those guys. So that’s the thing, it’s fun for me to watch them get better sometimes just by listening.”
When will the Browns announce their starting quarterback?
The Browns still have plenty of time to decide who will be under center in Week 1. While five players are currently in the running, only one will ultimately secure the job.
It’s likely that the team will announce its starting quarterback before the preseason games begin. The chosen starter may see limited snaps, while the others—especially those fighting for a roster spot—will get more reps during the preseason.
SURVEY Which rookie should the Browns keep?
Which rookie should the Browns keep?
already voted 99 fans