You own several Browns caps and a half dozen jackets for every cold-weather situation. There is a Browns decal on at least one window of every vehicle you own, including the one that needs a new transmission in the backyard, and of course, a Browns-related front license plate. You own a Joe Thomas HOF induction ceremony T-shirt to go with the other two dozen Browns tees. All of your children are Browns fans, although they don\u2019t know why, because they do not remember any winning seasons and have only heard something about eight championships.<\/p>\n
There is a Browns flag perched on your front porch, or one underneath your American flag flapping on your flagpole.<\/p>\n
And this year, there is one question on your mind: Who will be Cleveland\u2019s starting quarterback this season?<\/p>\n
The Browns have had six quarterbacks under contract this year. That does not surprise anyone, because Cleveland set an NFL record last year for starting the most QBs in a two-year stretch by using nine starters \u2013 five in 2023, and four in 2024. In the 2023 season alone, they tied a single-season record for most signalcallers to start the calendar year (5), tied with the 1987 New England Patriots.<\/p>\n
So, six quarterbacks for one NFL roster? No worries. But still, which one will be behind center come Week 1? That is a subject to be discussed and debated extensively.<\/p>\n
Deshaun Watson was expected back, but re-injured his Achilles again, which set back his recovery period. One thing about a fully torn Achilles is that it must fully heal before anybody can expect to play sports again. He had another surgery to repair the second injury, but the re-rupture will likely keep him out for the entire 2025 season.<\/p>\n
Watson was then added to the PUP list at the end of July as he continued to recover from the second surgery. Whether he returns this season or not remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
The most obvious choice for the starting quarterback role for Week 1 is veteran Joe Flacco. He was signed to be the starter, and so far, none of the other quarterbacks on the roster appear to be ready to lead a team all season for 17 games, except for Flacco.<\/p>\n
Kenny Pickett was traded for, but his role seemed more like an experienced backup in case something would occur with Flacco. Pickett has played in 30 games with 25 NFL starts.<\/p>\n
Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are rookies, and having a good camp is exciting and encouraging. These two have started one preseason game each, and although they have different styles and mannerisms, each played well. But consider this: both rookie QBs played mainly against second-team defenders. It is difficult to imagine seeing either in a real game against a number-one defense at this point. Like against that Baltimore Ravens defense? Geez. Perhaps one of these two may get into a game later in the season, or most likely, next year is the most advantageous scenario for both the team and the players.<\/p>\n
The scene was set: Flacco the starter with Pickett the former first-round draft pick at the ready, with two developmental guys waiting their turn and soaking up as much as they can from the veterans.<\/p>\n
But as Cleveland quarterbacks go, there was a cog throw into the mix. Pickett sustained a hamstring injury, which is nasty damage to get at any time in an athlete\u2019s life. And the timing was terrible, during training camp with a new team and a new offense, when he was fighting for a starting role? Or at least have this opportunity to prove himself worthy to run this offense in games that count.<\/p>\n
BEREA, OHIO – JUNE 04: (L-R) Shedeur Sanders #12, Kenny Pickett #8 and Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns watch a drill during Cleveland Browns OTA offseason workouts at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 04, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Now, the coaching staff was faced with giving the backup job to either Gabriel or Sanders, or try to wait out Pickett to see if he could return to the field. He has returned to practice sessions, but has been limited to individual drills and isn\u2019t involved in full team practices.<\/p>\n Note to self: the season opener is September 7. Does the coaching staff have that much patience with Pickett taking it one day at a time for such a short stretch before the first game? Yikes.<\/p>\n Certain media outlets have stated, \u201cBrowns QBs: Joe Flacco vs Shedeur Sanders vs Kenny Pickett vs Dillon Gabriel comes to an end\u201d as the coaching staff announced that a starter for Week 1 would be announced this week before the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.<\/p>\n And this year, instead of asking who will be Cleveland\u2019s starting quarterback this season, the most important query happens to be: Who will be Cleveland\u2019s backup quarterback this season?<\/p>\n Because that scenario happens every season.<\/p>\n There is one QB that nobody is considering in all of this: Tyler Huntley.<\/p>\n Huntley is another seasoned veteran, having played in 25 games with 14 starts. He is a Pro Bowler. His career completion ratio is 64.6%. He has an average rush of 4.6 yards per carry and has converted 48 first downs with his legs.<\/p>\n He was in Browns camp last season, and when he was waived just after the final cutdown, many fans and observers complained that Cleveland should have kept him because backup Jameis Winston was considered a turnover machine, while Watson was injury-prone, and Donovan Thompson-Robinson (DTR) was raw. Each of these scenarios became true last year.<\/p>\n![\"BEREA,](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gettyimages-2217996955.jpg\"\/)
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