The Cleveland Browns want to keep their options open at quarterback, but it may end up making things more complicated.
The Browns are staging a four-man battle for their starting quarterback job featuring veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland has said it could “absolutely” carry all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, though doing so would mean sacrificing depth at other positions. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is not buying it.
“I think that’s lucdacris. Having four quarterbacks on your roster?” Florio said. “I think they’re trying to build some trade leverage.
Florio: Browns Need to Cut Pickett or Flacco
There’s a growing belief that the Browns should give their rookies meaningful snaps this season to evaluate their long-term potential. With two first-round picks in next year’s draft — which is expected to be rich in quarterback talent — Cleveland could be in a prime position to find its franchise signal-caller if none of this year’s options pan out.
Florio believes either Flacco or Pickett has to go to eliminate some additional pressure on the rookies.
“Between Flacco and Pickett, one of them has to go. They have to go,” Florio said. “Because I don’t want the presence of both of them to undermine my effort to see what I have in Gabriel and Sanders. They don’t have enough reps to go around to get everyone ready.”
The quarterbacks have talked about their unique situation. Flacco, 40, has trust in coach Kevin Stefanski on distributing the reps appropriately.
“I don’t know what the plan is exactly. But you know, I trust Kevin and that he has a plan for all this. That’s really all I can do,” Flacco said. “I’d love to go out there and take 120 reps a day and get in the groove and do all those things, but like I said, the coaches have a plan, Kevin has a plan, and my job is to just trust that, go out there and do the best I can.”
Browns Need to Put ‘Winning First’
The Browns have the lowest projected win total in the league, coming in at 5.5. That’s due in large part to their instability at quarterback. Ultimately, Florio wants to see the Browns focus on winning.
“Put winning first. It’s simple. Football is simple,” Florio said. “Forget about the other stuff.”
The Browns still have key pieces in place. Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett will anchor the defense, while Jerry Jeudy and a veteran, yet capable, offensive line could help establish the tone on offense.
“I think the intensity and the urgency just have to be taken to another level,” Garrett said. “And I can’t expect someone else to do it or any other side of the ball or any other position room. Got to be the leader of the entire team. And, you know, that’s what’s been laid out for me. I’ll take the reins and I’ll be that guy.”
The Browns open training camp in late July. The team’s first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.
