Browns Expected to Start $14 Million QB in Week 1

The predictions and projections around the Cleveland Browns and their quarterback situation have flown every which way over the past couple of months, as one insider will place a signal-caller in the QB1 job on the same day an equally-informed reporter or analyst writes that it's all but a certainty that same quarterback is headed to the trade block at some point in August. 

However, as training camp nears, one name continues to emerge more and more frequently as the Browns' expected starter in Week 1 -- Kenny Pickett. 

Pickett makes sense for a handful of reasons. First, he's a veteran. The Browns are going to at least try to win each of their opening handful of games in 2025, as the jobs of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry may depend on the team taking a meaningful step forward from its three-win total last season. 

A QB like Pickett, who has a winning record in the NFL (15-10) and is entering the final year of his $14 million rookie contract probably gives Cleveland a better shot early on than rookies Dillon Gabriel (third round) or Shedeur Sanders (fifth round).

Pickett was also the first quarterback the Browns acquired this offseason (before they signed Joe Flacco in free agency and before they drafted Gabriel and Sanders). He is also the one for whom they surrendered the most in terms of assets -- a fifth-round pick and third-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. 

Finally, Pickett has the arm strength and decision-making skills to succeed in Stefanski's system, which will simplify reads for the QB. Flacco proved he has those capabilities as well during his 4-1 stretch with the franchise in 2023 leading into the playoffs, though he is 40 years old and on a one-year deal. As such, Flacco is far less likely to be around two years from now than his 27-year-old counterpart, so all things being equal, Pickett should get the nod. 

For these reasons, and others, Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports wrote on Wednesday, July 9, that it is a reality -- and not an overreaction -- to say that Pickett will start the year as the Browns' QB1. 

"[Pickett is] a former first-round pick that can succeed in a quarterback-friendly offense, which the Browns have under Kevin Stefanski. Don't get too caught up in the up-and-down minicamp," Kerr wrote. "Once the regular season comes around, there will be a leash. Pickett will still be the starter come Week 1."