The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and tightly contested battles of the entire preseason. With four new quarterbacks added to the roster — veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — the options are wide open, and decisions will need to be carefully made.
While speculation continues to swirl around how the battle will unfold, one Browns insider revealed that there is currently a frontrunner, and it’s not the name most fans would expect.
Browns’ Starting QB Race Has an Early Frontrunner
After news broke that Deshaun Watson had re-aggravated his Achilles injury, Cleveland ramped up its search for a new franchise quarterback. The team’s strategy became clear: Bet on quantity to find the best candidate. As a result, GM Andrew Berry brought in two veteran quarterbacks during the offseason to establish a baseline for production in 2025.
Pickett was acquired via trade from the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles. He stepped in last season to replace the injured Jalen Hurts and even saw some snaps in the Super Bowl. Initially, he was expected to be the team’s veteran insurance, but then, Cleveland also brought back Joe Flacco, who played for the franchise in 2023 and most recently spent time with the Indianapolis Colts.
A new report says that Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel will take the No. 1 and No. 2 reps when OTAs open…
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— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 19, 2025
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot published her analysis for Cleveland.com, offering insight into the quarterback situation and revealing who has emerged as the frontrunner to start in Week 1, in what is shaping up to be one of the most intense position battles of the preseason.
“It’s a tough call before we’ve even seen the first practice of organized team activities, but I know Kenny Pickett heads in as the frontrunner to win the starting job at the outset. He’ll take the initial first-team reps in OTAs and probably the mandatory minicamp, and it seems like it’s his job to try to keep for now. But Joe Flacco brings 17 years experience and a 4-1 record with the Browns in 2023. He will definitely push and press Pickett hard for the job.”
The fact Pickett was acquired via trade could suggest he holds the early edge, given the investment Cleveland made to bring him in. However, Flacco’s experience may ultimately give him the inside track, and even if he doesn’t win the starting job, keeping him on the roster could position the Browns to potentially trade him midseason to a team in need.
“I do think one of the veterans will start, and at this point, I still think it will be Pickett, the No. 20 pick of the Steelers in 2022,” Cabot wrote. “I could see a team trading Flacco if he doesn’t win the starting job, and ties for the backup job. A team might offer a mid-round pick for him if their starter goes down.”
This quarterback battle could significantly influence how the Browns approach their rookie QBs this season. If both veterans are kept on the active roster, at least one of the 2025 draftees would have to be placed on the practice squad, putting the team at risk of losing him to another franchise. Early reports are mixed on who has the edge between Gabriel and Sanders.
One thing is certain: Cleveland won’t be able to carry four quarterbacks into the regular season. The veteran who ends up as the backup could be trade bait, and the rookie sent to the practice squad will likely draw interest from other teams due to the low acquisition cost.
That makes this one of the most complex and compelling preseason battles, one that will require a highly detailed and calculated evaluation process from the Browns.