CLEVELAND, Ohio — Answering questions from Browns fans.
Hey, Terry: “It’s been interesting to follow the local and national comments lately about Kenny Pickett, especially how his middling performance in Pittsburgh was more about poor line play and an offensive coordinator who got fired. Coach Kevin Stefanski also seems to like him, but that may just be keeping the party line.
It would be great if he could win the starting job and have success in Cleveland, but I have yet to hear or read any comments about the fact that he is a free agent after the season. He could play great, leave for greener pastures, and the Browns would be back to square one.
This just happened with Sam Darnold in Minnesota, albeit they had J.J. McCarthy, a guy they drafted in the first round (2024) waiting in the wings. The Browns do not have that. Even worse, if Pickett does well and helps the team win 6-8 games, it makes it harder to package our two first-rounders next year for a top quarterback. In the perfect world, he plays well, signs a 3-year contract with CLE and we turn our two first-rounders into more depth at wide receiver and the offensive line.– Jeff.
Hey, Jeff: Here’s what we know about Pickett … we don’t know. We don’t even know if he’ll be the opening day starter. He’s my early favorite, but that’s because I have to pick someone. If they favored Joe Flacco, they would have signed him first. Instead, they traded for Pickett – a minor deal with Philadelphia. Flacco was signed to a modest contract much later ($4.25 million, $3 million guaranteed according to Overthecap.com).
Fact is, QB-needy Pittsburgh gave the starting job to Pickett, then gave up on him. They are now down to Mason Rudolph and waiting on a decision from Aaron Rodgers. Pickett was a backup with the Eagles.
Think about the Browns at this point a year ago. Deshaun Watson was back from shoulder surgery and supposedly healthy. Jameis Winston was the backup. Flacco wanted to come back, but they passed on him. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was in camp, as was Tyler Huntley. Only Watson remains (recovering from Achilles surgery). DTR was traded for Pickett.
The Browns also drafted two QBs: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
A year ago, who could have predicted any of that?
If Pickett can play and win games, my guess is they’ll find a way to keep him. GM Andrew Berry has liked Pickett dating back to Pickett’s college days with the Pitt Panthers.
You mentioned Darnold having a big comeback year with Minnesota, then signing with Seattle. Here’s the other example: Baker Mayfield rebuilt his career on a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in 2023. He then signed a three-year, $100 million deal ($50 million guaranteed) with the Bucs before the 2024 season.
Quarterback Joe Flacco returns to Browns: Crowquill
Illustration by Ted Crow for Crowquill. The Browns sign quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year deal.Ted Crow
Hey, Terry: I believe chemistry on a team is just as important as talent. I’m happy that Flacco is back for that reason. What do you think?– Jeanne.
Hey, Jeanne: Team chemistry and character mean a lot, as does talent. Flacco does help with that, and I believe he also still has the talent at the age of 40 to step in and win a few games as a backup.
More to your point on a deeper level, the Browns are in a better chemistry place because they are not counting on Watson. The pressure is off in terms of making the Watson deal work. Stefanski and his coaches have four QBs from which to pick. None of them are products of big deals (or high draft picks) that demand the team accommodate them.
I’m relieved not having to write about Watson this season in terms of him being a starter, etc.
Browns quarterbacks
The Browns have four QBs in mini-camp.Cleveland Browns
Hey Terry: If the Browns really did not like any QBs in this draft other than Cam Ward … and they traded down to get another 1st rounder and plan to draft one next year … why did they draft two this year? - Tony.
Hey, Tony: It’s about where you draft players. Here we go, data from an excellent story by Yahoo’s Jay Busbee looking where opening day starters in 2023 were drafted:
First round: 28%
Second round: 20%
Third round: 15%
Fourth round: 10%
Fifth round: 7%
It keeps going down from there. In fact, more undrafted free agents (13%) started than those picked in any round after the third.
Gambling on a QB in the third round (Gabriel) or fifth round (Sanders) is a lottery ticket. Odds are they didn’t miss a starter by picking either of those guys. And even backup QBs often have trade value.
Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp day 2
The Browns have high hopes for Quinshon Judkins being an immediate impact at running back. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Terry: Do you think the running back from Ohio State can turn that position into a strength?– Frank.
Hey, Terry: If the offensive line can improve, do you think the rookie running backs can help the team? I do.– Jacob.
Hey, Terry: What do you think will happen with Nick Chubb?– Chris.
Hey, Frank, Jacob and Chris: Here were go:
1. I was thrilled when they took OSU’s product Quinshon Judkins in the second round and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Both excelled in the SEC, Judkins was with Mississippi before transferring to the Buckeyes.
2. Taking two running backs was a clear signal that they are moving away from the spread offense they tried to use with Watson, which put less emphasis on the running game.
3. The zone blocking is back after being dumped in 2024 – another by-product of the attempt to revive Watson.
4. As for Chubb, he is like Kareem Hunt was in 2024. He will probably be without a team before the season starts, then picked up when injuries hit someone. Hunt wasn’t with a team when the 2024 season opened. He was signed by Kansas City a few weeks later. He played in 13 games for the Chiefs, rushing for 722 yards and seven TDs. He signed a $1.5 million deal for 2025 to return to K.C. That probably will be the type of road Chubb will have to follow.
Hear me talk:
I’ll be at the Avon Lake Library on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. It’s free. I’ll take questions, meet fans and sign books.