Kenny Pickett struggling what grew to become a lingering hamstring damage on July 26 opened the door for veteran Joe Flacco to emerge because the Cleveland Browns’ beginning quarterback for his or her Week 1 recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.
For an article revealed on Friday morning, Browns reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic revealed that Flacco is “going to win the Week 1 beginning quarterback job” coming off Cleveland’s joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles this week.
“Flacco has been sharp for 2 weeks, and it’s clear he’s creating an improved sense of timing along with his teammates — particularly (vast receiver) Jerry Jeudy,” Jackson wrote. “Joint practices are actual work versus unfamiliar opponents, not for model factors. However after the Cleveland No. 1 offense didn’t rating a single landing in Wednesday’s observe, that unit scored 5 on the Eagles Thursday. Two got here on trick performs, and most of them have been in pink zone settings, however Flacco threw with confidence.”
Some throughout the Browns allegedly needed Pickett, 27, to win the QB1 gig over the 40-year-old Flacco earlier this summer time. That stated, Pickett grew to become a non-factor relating to the competitors after he was sidelined with a hamstring subject that would preserve him out of motion by means of Cleveland’s preseason finale versus the Los Angeles Rams
on Aug. 23.
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders generated headlines when he accomplished 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8. Nevertheless, there was no indication he had any probability to leapfrog Flacco on the depth chart even earlier than Sanders suffered an indirect damage which will preserve him from taking part in by means of the Rams contest.
2025 third-round draft decide Dillon Gabriel missed the Carolina recreation as a result of a hamstring damage however might see loads of motion throughout Saturday’s matchup at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Monetary Subject. Even when Gabriel shines in that outing, he nearly definitely will start September serving as a backup for Flacco.
“The one factor most clear is that Flacco nonetheless has a cannon,” Jackson added. “And if the Browns are going to steal a few wins within the early a part of their schedule, they’re going to depend on the 18-year veteran flinging it deep.”
As of Friday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as a -310 betting favourite to get the nod for the Cincinnati recreation. Such forecasts present Jackson might be proper in saying the Browns’ quarterback competitors is already over.
