"It's intentionally vague": Browns insider smells foul on Joe Flacco being named QB1 with Kenny Pickett at the helm

NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans - Source: Imagn
NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans - Source: Imagn

Although the Cleveland Browns announced veteran quarterback Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starter, a veteran Browns insider doesn’t believe the 40-year-old will hold onto the job for the entire season.

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ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi said Cleveland may give the injured Kenny Pickett another chance to start when he is fully healthy.

“The announcement that the Browns made today was very curious to me,” Grossi said. “Nowhere in the announcement did they say Flacco is the starting quarterback for the season. They said for the opener. That stuck out to me.
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“I think it's intentionally vague. There's no quote from the coach. ... I think they're leaving the door open for Pickett to make a belated run at Flacco's job."

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Pickett, who had been a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first two seasons but was a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, came to Cleveland to be a starter. But he injured his hamstring early in training camp late last month.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is leaning on Flacco’s experience while two drafted rookies (Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders) battle for a backup role. The team’s primary option, Deshaun Watson, will be out all season after having surgery in January on his Achilles tendon.

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Flacco started six games for the Indianapolis Colts last season. He has played for six different teams, with this being his second stint in Cleveland in that span, since 2019. He last played a full season as a starter in 2017 with his original team, the Baltimore Ravens.

Cleveland will open its season by welcoming the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.

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What will Joe Flacco bring to the Cleveland Browns offense?

The announcement that Joe Flacco will be starting in Week 1 puts an end to a speculation-filled offseason at the QB position in Cleveland.

At this point in his career, Flacco is a strong pocket passing QB with not much mobility. However, he is still accurate and still has the arm strength to throw the ball downfield.

The decision to start Flacco should help the outlook of both wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku, both of whom will be playing alongside a talented QB who knows how to win and get the ball to talented playmakers.

Colts Fans! Check out the latest Indianapolis Colts Schedule and dive into the Colts Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Joshua Gillesby
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