Can we be frank about the latest "news'' on the Cleveland Browns QB conundrum?
Can we do it in two bites?
One, as the Browns are entering training camp in July with four quarterbacks (not counting the wounded Deshaun Watson) battling for the starting job in Week 1, it is simply too early for management or the coaching staff to have privately committed to one (or two) over the others.
And two, it is a former NFL Pro Bowler in ex-Bengals standout wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh who is making the claim a source that the "in the building'' decision has been made ...
And with all due respect to Houshmandzadeh, he has no track record when it comes to "sources'' and "breaking news.''
So ... armed with those two foundational thoughts ...
On a recent edition of "Nightcap," T.J. asserted that Cleveland has made up its QB mind and is deciding between rookie Dillon Gabriel and fourth-year trade get Kenny Pickett for the top spot.
Said T.J.: "I was told by somebody in the building, who is not a player, that it is really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel."
And yes, we have questions.
And no, our questions are not just about Shedeur.
To wit ...
Why would the Browns already be dumping on the idea of relying on Joe Flacco?
What has Gabriel done to merit being in this conversation?
Why decide on a two-horse race in private ... and why tell it to T.J. ... and why make it public in any way?
Can we envision Shedeur - who in April's NFL Draft dropped all the way to the fifth round - being out of the mix? Of course we can .... just like with any other fifth-round rookie who might best be suited for the practice squad.
But the football bullets have yet to fly. The Browns should not be making "final decisions'' in June.
If Pickett earns it? That might be the most advantageous setup.
But the job shouldn't be handed to anybody. ... because that doesn't really benefit anybody.