NFL News: Joe Flacco reveals Kevin Stefanski’s admission about Browns QB competition with Kenny Pickett

The Cleveland Browns are entering a crucial rebuilding phase—especially at the quarterback position. With uncertainty still looming over Deshaun Watson’s future with the franchise, Kevin Stefanski’s squad brought in veteran Joe Flacco and former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett to compete for the starting job heading into the upcoming NFL season.

After a brief stint with the Colts, former Super Bowl champion with the Ravens joins the Browns, revealing a key conversation with his new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, about the QB competition with Pickett.

“We have no preconceived notions of who’s gonna be the starting quarterback,” Flacco said to the press. “We want to put together a good room and have good competition and see what comes of it.”

Both Pickett and Flacco were brought in to bolster a quarterback room that endured multiple ups and downs last season. With the Watson situation still far from resolved, the Browns are now placing their trust in what these two talented signal-callers can bring to the table.

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (L) interacts with Quarterback Joe Flacco #15 after a play against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Stefanski weighs in on the Browns’ QB battle

Once again, the decision-making falls to Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland—and this year, he faces the tough call of naming his starting quarterback: will he lean on Joe Flacco’s veteran experience, or take a chance on the youth and upside of Kenny Pickett?

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While the HC hasn’t committed to either quarterback as the Week 1 starter, he made it clear to the media that a healthy competition only raises the level of the entire roster.

“I look at competition as a really good thing,” Stefanski said. “I think it’s a really good thing, especially when you like the guys that are competing for the job like we do. So I think it only elevates everybody’s play.”