As Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel enjoy more reps, Kenny Pickett’s hamstring could play a huge role
Things change very quickly in the NFL. All of a sudden, WR Terry McLaurin and DE Micah Parsons are looking for ways off of their current teams, and Cleveland Browns QB Kenny Pickett hurting his hamstring, opened up reps for QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to show what they can do.
Pickett’s injury also inserted QB Joe Flacco as the team’s top guy, the first time throughout the four-person competition that HC Kevin Stefanski put someone in the lead.
With the Browns returning to the field on Friday, after being off on Thursday, Stefanski noted that Pickett would return to the field but not be involved in team drills, giving the rookies more chances to make an impact:
No team drills today for Pickett, so sounds like just individual drills. https://t.co/6TRDpVPcH8
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 1, 2025
The team will travel east to face the Carolina Panthers in a joint practice next week before their preseason opener Friday night. Stefanski would not rule out Pickett participating against the Panthers:
Stefanski said it’s too early to know if Pickett can participate in the joint practice in Carolina but said Pickett “still very much involved in everything,” including the QB competition. https://t.co/ag0iAmrwW8
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) August 1, 2025
With preseason a week away, Cleveland will have to start narrowing in on two candidates for the starting position sooner rather than later. Whether they communicate such to the media and fans is far less important than whether the rest of the offense has an idea of who to expect throws from.
With the first 53-man roster due in 25 days, the Browns need some clarity at the most important position in football as soon as possible. Instead, Pickett’s return muddies the waters and brings the QB competition back up to four options.