Browns HC Kevin Stefanski breaks silence on QB1 battle between Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel

Kevin Stefanski faces a tough decision ahead of the 2025 NFL season, as the Cleveland Browns are caught in a heated battle to determine who will be the team’s starting quarterback between Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.

With Deshaun Watson sidelined due to a torn Achilles tendon, the competition now features four contenders. The most experienced of them is veteran Flacco, a Super Bowl XLVII champion, who brings leadership and proven talent following his return to the Browns in 2023. At the same time, Pickett appears to have a strong chance after arriving in March 2025 from the Philadelphia Eagles.

In contrast, rookies Sanders, selected in the fifth round of the draft, and Dillon Gabriel, picked in the third round, offer youth and long-term upside. Stefanski made it clear he values the variety of options the team has at this critical position.

Who will be the Browns’ starting quarterback?

Stefanski confirmed that the Browns‘ quarterback job will be decided after a thorough evaluation. “We have to take in information every single day, take in how guys are handling certain situations, and then adjust from there. But we’ll get to those type of decisions later on,” Stefanski admitted at a press conference.

Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

“Listen, I think the big thing for me is putting our guys in a position where we can evaluate them. I think they did a great job in the spring. All four of those guys, I will continue to put them in some situations, but ultimately, we’d love to make decisions sooner than later,” Stefanski said.

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Who has the edge?

While Flacco and Pickett currently look like the favorites thanks to their experience and steady presence, Stefanski is taking his time to assess all options. Sanders and Gabriel have their future ahead of them and will look to make the most of this opportunity as professionals, while the Browns continue to await Watson’s return.