Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Hints at QB Choice for 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There is a four-way battle for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland this offseason, as the Browns attempt to find a replacement for Deshaun Watson, who will miss most of 2025 due to an Achilles injury.
With so much variety in the QB room for the Browns, coach Kevin Stefanski will have options. Two veterans, albeit at totally different ends of the career spectrum, are locked in as 40-year-old Joe Flacco and 27-year-old Kenny Pickett will compete.
Then there are two rookies in the fold: third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.
Earlier this week, Cleveland.com insider Lance Reisland took a Stefanski quote and ran with it.
“Pickett is big and athletic, he can throw from different launch points, he is smart and can find advantageous matchups, and he has enough arm strength to stretch the field both horizontally and vertically,” Reisland wrote. “Stefanski sees a guy who can thrive in his scheme.”
Now, Stefanski isn’t declaring a winner yet, but his words do ring as a vote of confidence for the young veteran who is playing for his third team in four seasons.
Pickett was hand-picked by the Steelers out of Pitt in the first round at No. 20 overall in 2022. He failed to catch on and was dealt to the cross-state rival Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl ring last season.
The Browns acquired Pickett this offseason for a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Whether or not he can be the guy in Cleveland remains to be seen, and he’s got some stiff competition.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.