Starting QB to be named
As the Browns approach the preseason Week 3 as a dress rehearsal for the season opener against the Bengals on Sept. 7, there will soon be a decision on who will be named the starting quarterback.
"We're working towards Week 1," Stefanski said. "That's part of what this week is about, getting our football team ready. So, we'll make all those types of determinations in the next couple of days."
Through the first two weeks of the preseason, the rookies have started both preseason games. QB Shedeur Sanders started Week 1 against the Panthers before he sustained an oblique strain early in the first joint practice with the Eagles. He did not practice in the second practice or play in the second preseason game.
QB Dillon Gabriel, who missed the first preseason game with a hamstring injury, returned to start Week 2 against the Eagles.
QB Joe Flacco has taken a majority of the first team reps in team drills in joint practices with the Panthers and the Eagles but did not take the field in either preseason game. QB Kenny Pickett, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since July 26, has participated in 7-on-7 drills during practices, but has not taken reps in 11-on-11s since the injury.
Stefanski said he is hopeful Pickett and Sanders will be able to increase their level of participation in practice this week, but they are taking each injury day by day.
As the Browns approach an official decision on the Week 1 starter, Stefanski said he has been pleased with the quarterback room and how they have worked and pushed one another to become better. He's noted through different moments in practice and in games how they are each improving, seeing the work that they have put in dating back to April come to fruition.
But that work doesn't stop with the initial decision. They will continue to focus on developing their quarterbacks and preparing them to take the field – both in practice and on game day.
"We will name a starter. It's going to come this week," Stefanski said. "We still anticipate all of our players, whether you're a starter or not, to prepare like you're the starter. Knowing all of our players in that room, that's exactly what they'll do."