The Cleveland Browns find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as they approach the 2025 NFL season, particularly concerning their quarterback situation. The spotlight is on Joe Flacco, who appears to be taking the lead in the battle for the starting position, especially following some challenges faced by Shedeur Sanders in his early NFL journey.
The recent 2025 NFL Draft certainly stirred up some drama. Tennessee Titans made a splash by selecting Cam Ward with the first overall pick, but the narrative quickly shifted to Sanders, who slid to the fifth round before being scooped up by the Browns. This unexpected drop has sparked conversations, especially after it was suggested that Sanders may have inadvertently hindered his draft prospects through less-than-stellar interviews.
For Sanders, the transition to the NFL isn’t just about performance on the field; it’s also about finding his identity within the league. Having worn No. 2 during his college career, he now faces a significant change as he dons the No. 12— a number that carries the legacy of Tom Brady. The famous quarterback even shared a personal note with Sanders, offering words of encouragement after the draft. Nevertheless, the challenge remains for Sanders to prove himself worthy of a spot on Cleveland’s 53-man roster come the 2025 season.
On the reporting front, Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated recently shared insights on “The Rich Eisen Show,” indicating that Flacco is likely to take the first snap this spring. He underscored the importance of this moment, suggesting it places Flacco in a favorable position as the front-runner for the starting role. Breer described Flacco’s status as having the “pole position,” echoing terminology used by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin when discussing his own quarterbacks.
Flacco, now 40, isn’t stepping into an easy battle for the starting job. He’ll be contending with the likes of Kenny Pickett, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders, all of whom are eager to make their mark. The Browns made Gabriel their third-round selection, coming two rounds before they picked Sanders. Meanwhile, Pickett arrived via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as a backup.
It’s interesting to note that, according to Breer, the contractual guarantees for both Flacco and Pickett are quite similar. This means that either player could be let go without significant financial repercussions, keeping the competition wide open. Just because Flacco is leading in the spring time doesn’t mean Pickett can’t seize the first snap in the summer, or that Flacco’s spot on the final roster is secure if Pickett shines.
Complicating matters further is the uncertain future of Deshaun Watson. The Browns invested heavily in Watson with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract back in March 2022, a move that has since been marred by controversy and poor performance. Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been nothing short of tumultuous, marked by injury setbacks and off-field allegations that have overshadowed his on-field contributions.
Last season, Watson’s struggles culminated in an Achilles injury during Week 7’s clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the season. To add to the woes, there are concerns that he may have re-injured the Achilles during his recovery, which could keep him out for the entire 2025 season.
As the Browns navigate these decisions, all eyes will be on Flacco and the emerging quarterbacks vying for the starting role. How this situation unfolds will be one of the more captivating storylines as we approach the new season.
