Browns Insider Says Flacco is 'Strong Favorite' for QB1 over Sanders, Gabriel, Pickett

Even though the Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has remained quiet publicly about who will start at quarterback in Week 1, the tea leaves from training camp so far suggest Joe Flacco is firmly in the pole position.

Per The Athletic's Zac Jackson, Flacco has become the "strong favorite" to win the quarterback competition with Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel after the first full week of training camp.

Jackson noted that Flacco's standing in the race comes after he had his two best throwing days in practice on Friday and Saturday. It's unclear what order the competition is taking, though practice reps seem to indicate Sanders is no higher than third.

The only reason Sanders might be in third is because Pickett, who is nursing a hamstring injury, hasn't fully practiced since July 27. He was back on the practice field on Friday, but Stefanski told reporters the Pitt alum wasn't taking part in team drills.

Sanders has the best statistical numbers of the four quarterbacks on the Browns roster, but he has yet to take any reps with the first-team offense. He did get snaps with the second-team offense against the starting defense in Wednesday's practice.

Pickett told reporters on Sunday not being able to be out there with the team is "a setback" when you are competing with other players and he's "pushing to get back, you know, as fast as possible."

Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft, has seemingly had the quietest camp among the quartet. Saturday was a key moment for him, with Jackson noting he got snaps with the first-team offense in 11-on-11 drills.

When the Browns signed Flacco as a free agent, he instantly felt like the favorite to be their starter when the regular season began due to his familiarity in Stefanski's offense from the 2023 campaign.

All signs continue to point toward Flacco being No. 1 on the depth chart going into Week 1. The next step big step for the Browns will come on Wednesday when they open joint practices with the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, leading into their preseason game on Friday night.

The Browns will open the regular season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.