BEREA, Ohio — I was in Berea for the Browns’ OTA practice session available to the media this past week. Several Browns also spoke at the team’s charity golf outing Monday. Here are some things that were said … and my guess about what it means.
Kevin Stefanski on Kenny Pickett
“I like how Kenny’s wired. He’s a really tough kid. When we traded for him, Coach (Pat) Narduzzi called me right away. (He) was thrilled because he just believes in who the young man is and how he goes about his business. (Pickett) is a gym rat … We’re excited about his skill set. I’m excited about the things that he’s been exposed to in his young career already.”
WHAT IT MEANS: From the beginning, the Browns coach has been high on Pickett. Nothing has changed. For the media, it’s hard to judge the QBs and the “competition” during OTAs. One practice a week is open to the media. QBs are often throwing to inexperienced receivers. I have no idea if they are running the right routes. Pickett was so-so on Wednesday. That said, he’s had a major shot to win the starting job from the moment they traded for him and nothing has changed.
REALITY CHECK: The Browns are hoping to find the next Sam Darnold or Geno Smith, a highly rated QB who struggled early in his career then revived his career with another team. Pickett had modest stats but also had a 15-10 record as a starter, mostly with Pittsburgh. He’s my guess right now … yes, right now and subject to change … to start the opener.
Cleveland Browns OTAs, June 4, 2025
Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett are two of the Browns four QBs in OTAs.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Tommy Rees on QB competition
“You can see them all winning the job … In terms of the competition, we’re so early in the process. We’re so early in evaluating that … We have a good group of guys that continue to push one another, and by the time September rolls around, we’ll be ready to go.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Not much. Since Stefanski said he was having a “competition” to pick a starting QB from a group of Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Pickett … that’s the party line. What else would you expect the offensive coordinator to say?
REALITY CHECK: Flacco and Pickett are veterans. Gabriel (third-round pick) and Sanders (fifth round) are rookies. The Browns’ first six opponents had a combined 71-31 record last season. The Browns were 3-14 in 2024. Does it make sense to run a low-round rookie QB through that early schedule?
Rees on Shedeur Sanders
“He’s worked his tail off. He’s really putting in a lot of work like all those guys are. You could tell on the mental side of the game … learning the system … calling it and having that rhythm to it. He’s put a lot of work and time and effort into that. When you do that, the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Sanders is working hard, making progress. It means exactly what Rees said.
REALITY CHECK: Watching the draft until the fifth round when Cleveland finally called his name was a shock to Sanders. The Colorado product expected to be a high first-round pick. He’s handled that disappointment by accepting the challenges the coaches are giving him.
Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp, May 10, 2025
Jim Schwartz knows Myles Garrett must be great for Browns defense to bounce back in 2025.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Jim Schwartz on Myles Garrett
“We know Myles works hard no matter where he is and no matter what time of season is. He’s a veteran player that’s proven himself in this league … Every player is a little bit different, but this is a voluntary part of the schedule, and we’re happy with the guys that are here, and they’re all working really hard.”
WHAT IT MEANS: The defensive coordinator is not going to make a big deal out of Garrett skipping the voluntary OTAs.
REALITY CHECK: Not just Garrett, but other veterans have earned the right to treat these sessions as they are listed “voluntary.” Veterans such as David Njoku, Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin have missed some OTAs. The NFL Players Association encourages players to skip OTAs because of the possibility of injury.
Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett speaks during a press conference after signing a record setting extension to stay in Cleveland
Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension making him the NFL's highest paid defensive player. Dan Labbe
Schwartz on Garrett’s contract
“I really think Myles is going to have the best season of his career – and has to, right? I’ve told him before … what’s that Spider-Man quote? ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ That’s what comes with the big contract, with the notoriety that came along with that … and with the process it took to get him to that point. There’s always pressure in this league, but probably a little bit more so. I think that brings out the best in players. I know that’ll be the case with Myles.”
WHAT IT MEANS: After asking to be traded, Garrett eventually signed a four-year, $160 million extension ($123 million guaranteed) with the Browns. It made him the NFL’s highest paid defensive player. I believe Schwartz is reminding Garrett that a big-time performance should follow signing a big contract.
REALITY CHECK: Schwartz knows Garrett isn’t the classic leader in terms of what and how he says things. He also knows Garrett has missed only four games in the last five seasons. He also has been a first-team All-Pro selection in four of the last five years. Garrett is a great player who also is durable. That’s what Schwartz cares about the most.
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.