The Cleveland Browns currently have a month-long break and will return to practice near the end of July. Rookie will report to training camp on July 18, while the veterans report on the 22nd at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio. One of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on during the summer is the starting quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson expected to miss most of the 2025 season, and two leading candidates.
Cleveland Browns candidate #1
Kenny Pickett is competing for the starting quarterback job and is one of the leading candidates. The former first-round pick hopes to revive his NFL career in Cleveland after a rough last two seasons, including an injury and being benched in Year 2, causing the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he backed up Jalen Hurts in Year 3. During OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Pickett took some first-team reps as the Browns utilized a “two-spot method,” splitting reps between two groups, allowing all four QBs ample practice time.
Cleveland Browns candidate #2
Joe Flacco is also competing for the starting job and is the other leading candidate. The 40-year-old ageless wonder looks to pick up where he left off in 2023, when he led the team to the Wild Card Round and started six games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. Flacco also received some first-team reps during OTAs and mandatory minicamp in the previously mentioned “two-spot method.”
Cleveland Browns’ new weapon predicts starting quarterback for 2025
During an appearance on Sport and Suits, Diontae Johnson offered his thoughts on the ongoing quarterback competition. He predicts that his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Kenny Pickett will emerge as the starter. Johnson also expects the Browns to roll with Pickett through the preseason.
“I think they are going to roll with Kenny (Pickett) for right now,” Johnson said.
“I’ve been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe (Flacco) will come in. I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like he’s coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.”
