Joe Flacco's 'Overall Experience' Makes Him Favorite to Land Browns' Starting QB Job

The Cleveland Browns have a hot quarterback battle on their hands early this offseason that should continue as we get closer to the preseason.

Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are competing with rookie draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but there's one player with a clear-cut path to the starting role because of his 18 years of experience.

"Joe Flacco, an 18-year veteran who’s played under Stefanski before, should be well ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders," The Athletic's Zac Jackson wrote. "Flacco is probably ahead of Kenny Pickett, too. Flacco throws the ball in a practice setting better than any of them. Add his overall experience, and he’s the favorite to win the job, unless Stefanski and others in the organization just favor Pickett — or unless Pickett outplays Flacco in the coming months."

There's also a player who appears to be clearly struggling more than the other three.

The Chronicle-Telegram's Scott Petrak noted during Wednesday's OTAs, Pickett played with the first team in 11-on-11 drills and threw "multiple near interceptions" while also finding Jerry Jeudy for a touchdown.

Flacco should feel the most comfortable. He's got a familiarity already after playing with coach Kevin Stefanski in 2023 during fill-in time due to injuries in Cleveland. He posted a 4-1 record and led the Browns to an unlikely postseason berth.

Flacco then signed with the Colts ahead of 2024 and struggled along with the rest of the offense before re-signing with the Browns this offseason after starter Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles for the second time in three months back in January.