Kenny Pickett Hit With Bad News Before Browns Name Starter

The Cleveland Browns are expected to name their starting quarterback this week and will face a tough decision on which passers they plan to keep around.

The Browns have said they’re open to keeping all four quarterbacks — Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — on the roster.

However, with injuries and other factors impacting the competition, the Browns have seemingly changed their tune on how they’ll assemble their 53-man roster.

“I think we’ll let it play out as we get closer to the cut down,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Sunday when asked about keeping all four on the roster. “Those are all conversations that we are always having, but those are tough decisions. You know, I’d like to keep everybody, but not realistic.”

Kenny Pickett Most Likely Trade or Cut Candidate

The most likely quarterback to be traded or waived is Pickett. The Browns traded for the former first-rounder in March. Flacco is the frontrunner for the starting job and it seems unlikely that the Browns would part ways with either of their rookies. Trying to stash either Sanders or Gabriel on the practice squad would expose them to being claimed by other teams.

Pickett has been limited in practice since late July with a hamstring injury and has been unable to participate in the two preseason games so far. He’s also sat out of team drills during camp. If Pickett is not ready to roll for the preseason finale, he could potentially end up on the chopping block.

“I try to give myself 24 hours to be as angry as I could be and then just turn the page. Every day doing as much as I can,” Pickett said of the injury last week. “It truly is a 24/7 grind to try to get back 100%. So, I’m doing absolutely everything I can. Hopefully I can push it to get out there. I want to be smart, but at the same time I want to be out there competing. So, you’re kind of like walking that fine line.”

Stefanski is “hopeful” Pickett can return to full action this week but said the team is taking it day by day.

The Browns currently have six quarterbacks on the roster. Veteran Tyler Huntley, signed earlier this month to cover preseason snaps while Pickett (hamstring), Gabriel (hamstring) and Sanders (oblique) dealt with injuries, isn’t expected to stick around long. Deshaun Watson also remains on the roster as an expensive but inactive presence in the quarterback room.

Browns to Name Starter This Week

The Browns have been deliberate about revealing any details in their quarterback competition. Head coach Kevin Stefanski maintained that approach on Sunday but confirmed the starter will be named this week.

“You know, honestly, just so focused on our guys’ development and practice and doing what they’re supposed to do when they get in these games. Obviously, we will name a starter. It’s going to come this week,” Stefanski said. “We still anticipate all of our players, whether you’re a starter or not, to prepare like you’re the starter. And knowing all of our players in that room, that’s exactly what they’ll do.”

The Browns open their season on September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.