Recent reports have indicated that veteran Joe Flacco holds a major lead within the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competitors over Kenny Pickett, 2025 third-round draft decide Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.
For an article revealed on Wednesday, Lance Reisland of the Cleveland Plain Seller defined why Flacco “has clearly separated himself from the quarterback competitors” heading into the Browns’ preseason opener on the Carolina Panthers on Friday.
“His efficiency is rooted in elite mechanical consistency in his footwork, stability and skill to switch weight effectively by his throws,” Reisland stated about Flacco. “These traits have allowed him to stay composed beneath strain, keep on time by full subject development reads, and persistently ship correct passes in any respect three ranges of the sphere.”
In the course of the 2023 season, Flacco gained four of five begins whereas enjoying beneath head coach Kevin Stefanski to information the Browns to a playoff berth. None of Cleveland’s different lively quarterbacks has ever taken a significant in-game snap in Stefanski’s offense.
Gabriel seemingly will not be prepared for regular-season motion anytime quickly, and Pickett missed a handful of apply days whereas coping with a hamstring harm.
Sanders reportedly will begin in opposition to Carolina, however he is Cleveland’s fourth option on the place. Even when he seems to be like a revelation on Friday night time, all signs point to Stefanski going with Flacco for Cleveland’s Week 1 sport in opposition to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.
As of Wednesday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as a -265 betting favourite to get the nod for the Cincinnati matchup.
“Flacco’s mix of polish, poise and veteran field-command paired together with his means to function from beneath heart or in shotgun, in opposition to strain or in construction, makes him the clear most suitable choice to start out Week 1,” Reisland continued. “He’s executing with rhythm and timing, manipulating coverages and elevating the offense each time he’s beneath heart. He seems to be totally ready to steer this group on day one.”
Whereas that does not essentially imply Flacco will begin when Cleveland faces the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 on Sept. 14, it seems the Browns’ QB1 gig is his to lose.
