Amidst June 2025 reports, the Browns' QB situation is chaotic. As Diontae Johnson backs Kenny Pickett, rumors swirl of a Joe Flacco trade. Who will start?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Browns' quarterback situation couldn't get more complicated, Wednesday dropped a bombshell. While new receiver Diontae Johnson publicly endorsed Kenny Pickett as the starter, reports surfaced that Pickett's grip on the job is loosening. Topping it all off, insiders suggest the team is actively looking to trade a veteran quarterback, with all signs pointing to Joe Flacco, ahead of the deadline.
I think they're gonna roll with Kenny for right now.
The ink is barely dry on his trade to Cleveland, but Diontae Johnson is already making his voice heard. Speaking on the 'Sports and Suits' podcast, Johnson gave a vote of confidence to Kenny Pickett, stating, 'I think they're gonna roll with Kenny for right now.' It's the kind of public support a young QB needs, but it came on the same day reports emerged that Pickett is facing a 'harsh reality' as his hold on the starting role slips. This juxtaposition perfectly captures the current state of uncertainty. Is Johnson's comment a sign of locker room support, or is Pickett truly in danger of falling down the depth chart before camp even begins?
Adding fuel to the fire is a report that the Browns are projected to deal a '$4 million QB' described as the 'best pure thrower' on the roster. While unconfirmed, speculation immediately centered on veteran Joe Flacco. Moving Flacco would clear cap space and, more importantly, simplify a crowded quarterback room. With Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel all needing reps, trading the established veteran could be a strategic move to get a clearer look at the team's future prospects. It's a high-stakes decision that weighs veteran insurance against developmental opportunity.
While the veterans command the headlines, the rookies are waiting for their chance. Analysts have poured cold water on the idea of Shedeur Sanders starting high on the depth chart, reporting there's 'no evidence' he'll be ranked ahead of Pickett or Flacco initially. Meanwhile, the team solidified its investment in the other rookie, Dillon Gabriel, whose four-year contract details were revealed. Gabriel will carry a manageable cap hit of just over $1.1 million in 2025. For now, the rookies' primary job is to learn the system and push the veterans, but their presence is a constant reminder that the front office is building for both the present and the future.
As minicamp fades into the rearview, the quarterback question looms larger than ever. Will the Browns really trade a veteran presence like Flacco? Can Pickett hold off the competition and validate Johnson's endorsement? And where do the rookies, Sanders and Gabriel, fit into this puzzle? One thing is certain: all eyes will be on Berea when training camp opens, as the battle to lead the Browns in 2025 is just getting started.
