The Cleveland Browns QB room just got a little messier with multiple injuries right before the regular season. Kenny Pickett has been recovering from a mild hamstring injury. Rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are also dealing with arm soreness and hamstring tightness, respectively. Sanders, despite missing the team drills on Saturday, has been the best-performing quarterback in the nine training camp practices.

Per ESPN Cleveland, Pickett, despite missing the team drills since last week, has a completion rate of 67.7%, with three touchdowns and one interception. Gabriel, who was drafted ahead of Shedeur, struggled the most in the training camps, with only a 54.9% completion rate and the worst TD-INT ratio among the four QBs. And Sanders? Well, the 23-year-old not only scored six touchdowns but also has the best completion rate [70%]. And his number could have been even better had he not missed a session.

Yes, Sanders may not have been part of Kevin Stefanski’s QB plan for now, but considering his consistency in the training camp and injuries to multiple QBs, his start might be late, but it can not be denied. Zac Jackson’s latest report for The Athletic dives deep into how the Browns are not rushing Sanders’ progress in Cleveland.

“The Browns have no plans to rush Sanders into anything and want him to continue developing in their offense. If Sanders can handle pressure and off-schedule plays over the next two weeks in preseason and joint practice settings, he could position himself to play late in the season,” Jackson reported. That’s the plan. To go slow!

Also, there’s an X-factor here. Shedeur’s name carries weight. Legacy weight. But in Cleveland, he’s fighting to earn his own echo. Kenny Pickett’s injury has blown the QB race wide open. If Sanders proves he can handle pressure in joint practices and preseason games, the late-season call should not surprise anyone.

So here’s the choice, Cleveland, do you want the quick hit or the dynasty piece? Stefanski’s betting patience will turn a $14 million rookie into the quarterback this city’s been chasing for decades.

Has Kevin Stefanski chosen his starter?

With injuries to multiple quarterbacks, Joe Flacco, who was not even close to starting under center, has now emerged as the favorite for the starting role. Camp insiders also confirmed that, “He’s consolidated his position.” Flacco has been surgically precise in red zone work. In live drills on Day 8, he completed 9-of-13 passes and hit multiple touchdown throws, one striking Jamari Thrash in goal-line work, another into tight coverage to Jerry Jeudy before a breakup.

Day 9 brought full pads back, intense team drills, and Flacco delivered again. His connection with undrafted rookie Gage Larvadain produced a stunning bucket-drop touchdown. Larvadain hit the pavement after hauling it in at the back pylon, a highlight that showed Flacco’s placement remained elite under pressure. Moreover, this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan moment. Flacco’s return to Cleveland in 2023 was textbook veteran impact: five starts, four wins, 1,616 passing yards, thirteen touchdowns, and a 90.2 passer rating.

At 40, Flacco pushes back on retirement speculation with purpose. “I still have a lot to bring,” he told reporters, no timeline, no exit plan, just intent to play and win. With Flacco steady and rookies still adjusting, the battle isn’t over. But the outcome is clear. Flacco is safe. Flacco is proven. And Flacco is the Cleveland Browns’ best option right now.

All in all, the official depth chart may still spell out competition, but Joe Flacco has written his name atop it. In a city chasing quarterback stability, he’s the closest thing to a guarantee. Let the rest catch up.