The Cleveland Browns have put their fanbase through a lot when it comes to the quarterback position, and now that Deshaun Watson may have already played his last snap with the Browns, it’s unclear what the future holds at QB.
The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett earlier in the offseason and recently signed Joe Flacco back on a one-year deal after he led the team to an improbable playoff run in 2023, and one analyst recently shared which player he believes will start in Week 1 for the Browns.
During Monday’s episode of The Next Level on ESPN Cleveland, analyst and co-host Emmett Golden said he believes it’s going to be Kenny Pickett.
“He’s still improving as a quarterback. Joe is who he is. I think Kenny Pickett could beat Joe Flacco out.”
Will Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco start week 1 for the Browns? pic.twitter.com/W8rUDLb4uu
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 14, 2025
Pickett beating out Flacco and proving that he has plenty of room left for improvement would be the ideal outcome for this quarterback room, but Flacco provides a sense of familiarity and proven success that Pickett hasn’t shown yet.
If Pickett does win the battle, he’d likely have a short leash.
There are still plenty that needs to get sorted out, but Pickett did say after being traded that he was told he’d have a chance to start, a stance that he has reiterated in recent weeks.
With ten picks in the upcoming draft, it’s a safe bet that the team will also use a high pick on a rookie quarterback as well while simultaneously hoping Pickett can be the league’s next QB reclamation project similar to Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith.
It’s far too early to tell, but the team does appear to have plenty of faith in Pickett.
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