Browns name Week 1 starting quarterback

The Browns plan to announce their Week 1 starting quarterback after conversations with multiple contenders.

Browns name starting quarterback for Week 1

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he will name Week 1’s starting quarterback this week after meeting with the top contenders. He intends to speak with Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett in the coming days before the opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco has been held out of the preseason games as the rookies were given two starts, signaling that the competition remains real even as the veteran has been the focus of discussions.

Injury updates muddy the picture. Gabriel and Pickett have hamstring issues and Sanders missed a recent game with an oblique injury, narrowing the evaluation window for Stefanski and his staff. If Flacco is the choice, the Browns will face a roster decision about keeping four quarterbacks or trimming the group as they finalize plans before the season begins.

The choice will test how Cleveland values stability versus upside. A veteran like Flacco can provide a steady presence as the rookies gain NFL reps, but too much comfort in one starter could slow development for the young quarterbacks. The injuries add urgency to the process, turning a straightforward evaluation into a race against time while signaling the team is willing to adapt if the plan falters.

Ultimately, this decision signals how the Browns want to approach the season. If they lean toward safety, the offense may lean on protection and run elements while the youngsters learn on the fly. If they push for upside, Gabriel or Sanders could force a faster reconfiguration of the depth chart, potentially reshaping the quarterback room midstream.

Highlights

The quarterback decision will shape how the Browns balance risk and reward this season.