Browns analyst echoes takes about potential odd man out in QB competitors

It definitely appears forward of coaching camp that Kenny Pickett may develop into the odd man out within the competitors for the Cleveland Browns’ beginning quarterback job. 

It stays to be seen how Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski will divide reps between Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco, 2025 third-round draft decide Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-round alternative Shedeur Sanders main as much as Cleveland’s preseason opener on the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8. For a bit revealed on Thursday, Barry McBride of the Orange and Brown Report indicated Pickett may spend the primary few weeks of August battling for a spot on the Browns’ Week 1 roster. 

“Pickett appears to me like somebody who might want to stand out considerably in camp to justify his presence on the staff,” McBride defined. “He is trapped between Flacco’s profitable historical past with the Browns and the possibly excessive ceilings of the rookies, which should be explored in 2025. The Browns have to be taught what they’ve in Gabriel and Sanders, and the one manner to try this is regular-season motion.”

McBride was referencing how Flacco gained 4 of 5 regular-season begins to information the 2023 Browns to the playoffs whereas taking part in in Stefanski’s offense. It was beforehand instructed that Browns personnel “need” Pickett to win the competitors, however different reporters revealed that the 27-year-old was “unremarkable” and did not “pop” throughout spring exercises. 

Moreover, the Browns seem like critical about stashing each Gabriel and Sanders on the energetic roster for at the least the complete 2025 season. That is one motive some are satisfied the Browns may commerce Pickett if a staff turns into taken with his providers this summer season. 

“I consider they are going to possible begin experimenting with the kids because the season progresses and a chance to draft a quarterback on the high of the 2026 draft beckons,” McBride added in regards to the Browns. “I am undecided the place Pickett (who continues to be tradeable) matches in that situation until Flacco’s age (40) undermines his talents in the course of the preseason.”

Pickett has additionally been linked with the New Orleans Saints as a result of New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore was his offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles final season. As of Thursday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook listed rookie Tyler Shough because the betting favourite at -245 odds to emerge as New Orleans’ Week 1 starter. 

Maybe Moore will develop into taken with working with Pickett once more if Shough performs effectively as a undertaking for the longer term all through the preseason in August.