CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is shaping up to be a powder keg waiting to explode. As mandatory minicamp wraps up, one thing has become crystal clear: the quarterbacks the coaching staff prefers aren’t the ones the fans are clamoring for.
In the latest episode of Orange and Brown Talk, hosts Dan Labbe, Mary Kay Cabot, and Ashley Bastock broke down the growing tension between the organization’s apparent quarterback preferences and what everyone else wants.
Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot didn’t mince words about the situation: “They are (trending towards Kenny Pickett starting). And that’s really not what the (national media) wants to hear. That’s not what Browns fans want to hear right now. They want to hear that it’s between Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders and those two are going to be the front runners because Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel aren’t necessarily the sexy names in this quarterback competition.”
The disconnect is striking. While Kenny Pickett appears to be the organization’s preferred starter, with Dillon Gabriel as his potential backup, fans seem to be pulling for Joe Flacco, the man who brought a spark of excitement to the 2023 season.
This creates a precarious situation for Pickett if he wins the job. As Browns reporter Dan Labbe pointed out on the podcast: “When you get to the season and this is where it gets difficult. If you go out and for whatever reason, it might not even be Kenny Pickett’s fault, but let’s say you go out and Kenny Pickett is just OK, and you’re like 1-3, how do you kind of keep this locker room engaged? How do you keep Myles Garrett happy? How do you keep Joel Bitonio happy? Because these guys are looking over and seeing Joe Flacco sitting there.”
Several veterans have openly expressed excitement about Flacco’s return, with star defensive end Myles Garrett even indicating that Flacco’s potential return was a factor in resolving his contract situation.
The fan pressure will be immediate and intense if Pickett struggles early. Browns beat reporter Ashley Bastock predicted exactly how it would play out: “I think this fan base, the second things start going downhill for Kenny Pickett, it’s going to be what we talked about last year in terms of can you bring Joe Flacco back when you’re trying to make this Deshaun Watson thing work? Like, Kenny Pickett loses a game at home the first few weeks, these fans are going to be chanting, screaming for Joe Flacco.”
What makes this situation even more combustible is the presence of Shedeur Sanders, the high-profile rookie whose development the team appears to be handling with extreme care. While he’s not expected to be in the immediate mix, his mere presence adds another layer of fan expectation and intrigue.
The tension is real, and the pressure cooker will only intensify once training camp begins. Who will emerge as the starter? Will the Browns prioritize their apparent internal preferences or bow to the will of fans and veterans?
Don’t miss a moment of this unfolding quarterback drama! Listen to the full discussion on the latest Orange and Brown Talk podcast to hear the hosts break down every angle of this fascinating situation and what it means for the Browns’ 2025 season.
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