NEWS: Cleveland Browns Shock Twist? Analyst Hints Kevin Stefanski’s View Could Decide QB Battle

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

There isn’t a bigger battle over the camp of the Cleveland Browns in the offseason than the one that concerns the most important position in football . The Browns have several quarterbacks, but none has truly emerged yet as the officially named QB1.

Joe Flacco, given his experience and the fact that he once led the Browns to the NFL playoffs, seems like the favorite to be under center for Cleveland in Week 1. The Browns also have rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the mix as well as another young signal-caller in Kenny Pickett, who just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles as Jalen Hurts’ backup.

Cleveland Browns head coach could be leaning in Pickett’s direction more than most people think

Cleveland Browns Shock Twist? Analyst Hints Kevin Stefanski’s View Could Decide QB Battle — Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

There’s no telling for sure which quarterback Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has listed No. 1. However, analyst Tony Rizzo believes that Stefanski was very open to the idea of having Pickett on the team.

“I have to believe that Stefanski was consulted when Andrew [Berry] brought in Kenny Pickett,” said analyst Tony Rizzo (h/t Justin Hussong of Browns Nation ).

“I don’t think Stefanski made the call. Can this guy play in your offense? And Kevin said yes. I don’t think Kevin would bring a guy here he didn’t think could play in his offense. Kevin spoke kind of glowingly about Kenny Pickett, which raised a few eyebrows out in Berea. Before everybody’s just, ‘Kenny Pickett stinks,’ let’s see what happens. I’m going to try and be optimistic. I think Kenny Pickett might look good in our offense. I think it’s a possibility.”

Pickett, who started his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was traded by the Eagles to the Browns in April in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Pickett has starting experience in the league, as he used to serve that role for the Steelers. In two seasons with Pittsburgh, he recorded 4,474 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with 13 interceptions through 25 games (24 starts).