When the Cleveland Browns signed Joe Flacco to a free agent contract in April, it was widely assumed that the veteran would compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting quarterback job until a rookie became ready. But after the Browns drafted two passers in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, Flacco could be on the outside looking in.
In an article suggesting potential cut candidates for all 32 teams, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox wrote that the 18-year veteran may not be on Cleveland's roster when the season begins.
"The Browns won't have Deshaun Watson in 2025, after he suffered two consecutive Achilles tears," Knox said. "However, they traded for Kenny Pickett before drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns probably won't carry four quarterbacks into the regular season, and the 40-year-old Flacco simply doesn't carry long-term value."
After leading the Browns to the postseason in 2023, Flacco spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts. He struggled in six starts, going 2-4 with 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while taking 18 sacks. Flacco returned to the Browns in free agency on a one-year deal worth $4.25 million.
Flacco's contract would not provide much salary cap relief if he ends up being released, but he remains the most likely cut candidate if he loses the starting quarterback battle. Gabriel's and Sanders' contracts will keep the rookies in Cleveland for four years, while Pickett turns 27 years old in June and could provide more upside than Flacco.
Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Gets Update on Starting Quarterback Role
The Cleveland Browns will have to make a decision with Shedeur Sanders. Sanders, who many considered the second-best quarterback coming out of the class, fell to the 144th pick.
After a shocking development during the draft, Sanders has to prove to the Browns and other teams that passed up on him that he’s good enough to be a competent quarterback in the NFL.
For some, that will be much easier said than done. For Dillon Gabriel, the Browns’ third-round pick, it might not be. Scot McCloughan believes Gabriel will be a second-stringer, which is great news for Sanders.
“I see him as a No. 2 for life. At best,” McCloughan said on “92.3 The Fan.” “And in the third round, that’s fine… I see him as a really good college quarterback. I see him as an average NFL quarterback.”
Kevin Stefanski on His New Quarterbacks
The Cleveland Browns know what they’ve got with Sanders. Despite some having him as high as the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Sanders still has plenty to work on.
That could’ve been part of the reason he fell as much as he did, but there seems to have been other factors involved.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski understands that Sanders isn’t a finished product, but he also noted that he’s willing to work. Being willing to work and come in every day to do his job, Sanders should have an opportunity to win a starting job if things go well.
“None of these guys are finished products, and Shedeur certainly has things he can work on,” Stefanski said on “We Need To Talk.” “But in terms of the person, in terms of the kid who’s willing to work, I think that’s who we’re getting.
“We’re getting a guy that really is not so concerned about where he landed in this draft, but he is willing to put in the work and that’s what we’re going to do.”
