The Cleveland Browns are currently in the midst of a competitive battle for the starting quarterback position, featuring both seasoned veterans and new talent. Established quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco bring substantial experience to the competition, having 30 and 191 career starts respectively, compared to the two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who are still finding their footing in the league.
Diontae Johnson, a new member of the Browns after signing as a free agent, shared his insights on the quarterback situation during an appearance on the Sports and Suits podcast. He suggested that the team will likely lean towards Pickett for the starting role in the immediate future.
“I’ve been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then, Joe will come in,” Johnson noted, pointing to Pickett’s time at the helm in Pittsburgh, where he made 24 starts over his first two seasons. He emphasized the significance of Pickett’s experience, especially following his previous season in Philadelphia, where he was a backup to Jalen Hurts.
Despite the Browns’ intentions of potentially keeping four quarterbacks on the roster, this strategy appears unrealistic given that most NFL teams typically opt to maintain only two on their active roster, with a third player often relegated to the practice squad. As a result, if the Browns choose to carry three quarterbacks into the season, a decision will need to be made about who stays: either Flacco or Pickett.
This competition not only highlights the depth of the Browns’ roster but also the myriad possibilities for their offensive strategy going into the upcoming season. It will be intriguing to see how the coaching staff navigates these choices and whether they can strike the right balance between experience and potential.
Adding a positive spin, the current situation showcases the team’s commitment to enhancing its quarterback depth, which could ultimately lead to a more dynamic and competitive team on the field. As the preseason approaches, fans will be eagerly watching to see how this quarterback competition unfolds.