The Browns off-season program begins again today, so be prepared for video on social media. Also be prepared for the continued argument on who’s having a better camp, Dillion Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. I think I’ll start an argument on who’s better, Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett to see if anyone notices. To me, I really don’t care which one does better, just find a quarterback who can win games and get the Browns to the playoffs. In 2023, the Browns won because they had four quarterbacks who could play in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. In 2024 they had zero quarterbacks who could play in any system. The team scrapped their entire offense for one signal caller thinking he could revive his franchise QB career. It didn’t work. It failed miserably. I understand why they did it. The last game Deshaun Watson played in 2023 was one hell of a game. The Browns trailed most of the game by at least fourteen points on the road against the Ravens. In the second half the team went on three long scoring drives including the game winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Hell, they even missed an extra point, which usually is a kiss of death for the Browns and still won the game.
Like I said, I understand the change in offense. Did I agree with it? I was more wait and see. By the time 2024 was over, I no longer wanted to look. Now the team enters 2025 with a true quarterback competition. In Flacco, the team knows what it has, a veteran who can work in Stefanski’s offense. The question is was 2023 a fluke? The ball bounced the Browns way that year. From opponents missing game winning field goals to back-to-back pass interference calls in the end-zone leading to a fourth & goal game winning rushing touchdown. 2023 was magical, but it ended with a thud in the playoffs. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, so they see something there. He used his senior season at Pittsburg to parlay that into a first round pick by the Steelers. He was 15-10 as a starter in an offense that was almost nonexistent. Before Pickett the offense was whatever Big Ben dreamed up. In college Pickett ran basically the same offense as the Browns will run in 2025. Again, I’m in wait and see mode.
If the Browns can find their future quarterback between Gabriel or Sanders that would be the perfect situation. A few things to remember, in all the off-season programs, the pace will be quicker. The team is trying to get in as many reps prior to the summer months to get both rookies used to the speed of the NFL. Who takes the first snaps, or which two quarterbacks are working in tandem doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting in as many snaps in as possible. Second, I know a lot of fans are already planning trading Pickett to the Saints for a certain wide receiver. I’ve been told the Saints aren’t interested. Besides, the Browns want to wait and see what they have in Pickett. Finally, no one knows who the starting QB will be game one. It’s way too early for that speculation. All I know is, the Browns will keep three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster and none of the four they have in camp right now will make it to the practice squad. This year’s training camp is going to be a true competition. Stay safe and Go Browns.