Browns formally make resolution on beginning quarterback
Cleveland Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand famous late Sunday night time that head coach Kevin Stefanski was “undoubtedly” going to call veteran Joe Flacco the group’s Week 1 beginning quarterback as quickly as Tuesday.
It seems Stefanski did not want to attend that lengthy.
Kelsey Russo of the Browns’ web site confirmed on Monday afternoon that Flacco will function Cleveland’s QB1 for its regular-season opener in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals
on Sept. 7. That submit formally ended what actually turned a quarterback competitors in title solely after presumed backup Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring harm on July 26 that saved him out of the membership’s first two preseason video games.
Even earlier than Pickett skilled that setback, there was no indication that Stefanski wished to begin both 2025 third-round draft decide Dillon Gabriel or 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders in opposition to the Bengals. Gabriel missed Cleveland’s 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 due to a hamstring subject however then had a strong outing within the Browns’ 22-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles this previous Saturday. Sanders performed effectively in opposition to Carolina however sat out the Eagles contest due to an indirect harm.
As for Flacco, the notion exists that the 40-year-old did not want preseason reps to be able to go for the Cincinnati sport. Through the 2023 season, the one-time Tremendous Bowl MVP received 4 of 5 begins to information the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth.
For a bit revealed shortly earlier than the Browns shared their anticipated announcement, Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated talked about that different gamers within the Cleveland locker room “know Flacco is their best choice” relating to Week 1. Breer added that “the Browns are snug conserving 4 quarterbacks” on their lively roster via not less than the early elements of the upcoming season.
As of Monday, it was unclear if Pickett will be capable of play in Cleveland’s preseason finale versus the Los Angeles Rams this coming Saturday. One wonders if Pickett will push to take the sector on Aug. 23 in order that he can audition for a group that could really feel its long-term reply on the place is not on the roster right now.
Then once more, Browns basic supervisor Andrew Berry could elect to carry onto Pickett till Stefanski decides that both Gabriel or Sanders is able to face a dwell protection in a significant sport. For now, the Cleveland beginning job is formally Flacco’s to lose for the primary time since January 2024.
