CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about the quarterback competition, Diontae Johnson, and more.
Hey, MKC:
We would like to know your early prediction on who the odd man out will be in the QB room? — It’s Danny and Kev on the river in Steamboat, Co., Football Insider Subscriber
Hey, Danny and Kev: Hope you enjoyed your excursion and that the fish were biting! It’s difficult to answer because we really need to see how the quarterbacks perform in training camp, the joint practices against the Eagles and Panthers, and the preseason games. I’ve been writing and saying that I think one of the veterans will probably start the season because of the grueling first half of the schedule. But a rookie can’t be ruled out if one of them comes up the learning curve quickly and proves he gives them the best chance to win. Last season, the Browns were prepared to part with Jameis Winston on or near cutdown day in August because Dorian Thompson-Robinson had tied him for the backup job.
I could see that happening with Joe Flacco if Kenny Pickett lives up to the Browns expectations and wins the starting job, and if one of the rookies is ready for the backup role. But Flacco could also land the job based on his experience here and his ability to make stars of Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku. With Dillon Gabriel being drafted in the third round, the Browns certainly aren’t going to want to give up on him too soon. Between him and Sanders, he currently has a better chance to make the team. But Sanders can change the narrative with an excellent camp. It’s still anybody’s guess!
Hey, Mary Kay:
Do you think the Browns will have an adequate receiving corps if Diontae Johnson plays up to his potential? — Mike Parker, Chester, Md.
Hey, Mike: Yes, I do think they would have a solid corps if Johnson plays up to his Pro Bowl potential, but he’s got a lot to prove after three teams gave up on him last year. He must do everything right to ensure he remains with the Browns, and then must handle the season emotionally better than he did last year. His talent is intriguing, and his route-running is Jerry Jeudy-like, but none of that matters if he doesn’t have his head on straight. If he can fall in line and buy into the program, the Browns will have one heck of a talent on their hands, and the pass-catching corps would feature three Pro Bowlers in Johnson, Jeudy, and David Njoku.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, May 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders listens through his helmet during team drills at OTAs Wednesday in Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Mary Kay:
Was wondering actually what kind of chance there is that the quarterback room in 2026 could be Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and DeShaun Watson. Any thoughts on that? — Thanks, Dave Barnes, Richmond, Va.
Hey, Dave: The Browns can’t do that, because Watson will miss a “significant portion” of the season according to GM Andrew Berry, and that scenario would leave the Browns without a veteran quarterback for at least the first half of the year. As I’ve mentioned before, I think either Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco will start the season, with Pickett in the early lead because of the Browns’ high hopes for him.
At least one of the veterans will make the 53-man roster, and possibly both. Even if Watson, whom Berry has described as “a fast healer” is ready to play at some point this season, there’s no guarantee the Browns will activate him. For now, they have to let it play out and see where he is in October or November. But they’ll definitely have a non-Watson veteran on the roster for Week 1 and throughout the season.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, May 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. catches a pass during individual drills at OTAs Wednesday in Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Mary Kay:
Do the Browns add a veteran receiver before or after cut day? Harold Fannin Jr. fills a larger role than given credit, but we need depth behind Jerry Jeudy. — Randy, Cortland, Ohio
Hey, Randy: I think it depends in part on how Diontae Johnson pans out, how David Bell comes back from his hip surgery, and how Jamari Thrash develops in camp. If Johnson looks good and buys into the culture and program, the Browns might not need to add another starting-caliber receiver. They love third-year pro Cedric Tillman and expect him to take another step up this season after he missed the final six games of last year with a concussion.
The Browns will play more two-tight end sets this season and not nearly as many three-receiver sets as last year, so they need quality more than quantity at the position. Fannin is a big addition to the pass-catching corps, and will serve almost as another receiver, but I still think the Browns need to keep their eyes peeled for another top-notch wideout and not leave themselves short at the position.
Hey, Mary Kay:
No matter who wins the quarterback job, will defenses be tempted to throw eight or nine men into the box to shut down the running game and force the Browns to beat them through the passing game? Joe Flacco throws lots of picks and Kenny Pickett and the rookies won’t scare anyone, not to mention our lack of WRs. — Christian, Hudson, Ohio
Hey, Christian: I don’t think they’ll be able to do that on a regular basis with some of the excellent weapons the Browns have on offense, including Jerry, David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. As long as the starting quarterback can avoid interceptions, the passing game will have to be respected. The Browns have a Pro Bowl-studded offensive line, and Dawand Jones should be an upgrade at left tackle. The QB will have much better protection than in the first half of last season when the tackles were coming back from knee surgeries or still out. The passing game should be much better this season, and at times maybe even explosive.
Hey Mary Kay:
In the name of competing, are we actually going to see the Browns play some players in preseason to get a read on who should be on the roster, etc? Not just at QB. — Ethan Greenberg,Richmond, Va.
Hey, Ethan: The Browns will play most their starters for at least brief periods in the preseason games, but they’ll actually get a more thorough evaluation of them during the joint practices against the Panthers and the Super Bowl champion Eagles during training camp. With two practices against the Eagles leading up to the second preseason game, the Browns will rest most or all of their starters that game, but might play some for a few series against the Panthers or the Rams. In the name of getting to the season healthy, I think they’ll proceed with caution during the games, using them mostly to determine roster decisions for their non-starters. The rookie quarterbacks will get plenty of playing time in the preseason games.
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