NFL insider Adam Schefter gives his take on who will be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1
A number of quarterbacks are competing for the starting spot in Cleveland, where Shedeur Sanders is said to have made a good first impression.
NFL insider Adam Schefter feels it would be a major surprise if Shedeur Sanders started at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the new season.
Selected by the Browns in round five of April’s NFL Draft, despite being widely projected as a first-round pick, the former Colorado star is reported to have made an “outstanding” initial impression in Cleveland.
However, ESPN’s Schefter says it would be an “upset” to see the Browns start either of their rookie QBs - having also drafted Dillon Gabriel in round three - when they open up against the Cincinnati Bengals in September.
Speaking on the ESPN show Unsportsmanlike Radio on Tuesday, Schefter said the more experienced Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are far likelier to get the nod, in the long-term absence of $230m signal caller Deshaun Watson.
“It’s been so exceedingly rare”
“There has been one quarterback drafted in the third round or later that’s wound up winning the starting quarterback job on the opening day, and that was Dak Prescott [for the Dallas Cowboys] in 2016,” Schefter explained.
“Now, that doesn’t mean that Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel can’t come on, play well and work their way towards that starting job, even early in the season.
“But I think it would be an upset if Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett is not the Browns’ opening-day starting quarterback. And then you hope that one of these young guys can develop and play well enough to win that starting job.”
Schefter added: “It’s not to say that they can’t do it [start in Week 1], but it’s been so exceedingly rare over the last 40 years to see a quarterback drafted in those slots do that.
“I think that there’s going to be plenty to learn and there’s going to be time for them to compete. And I won’t be surprised if one, maybe both, wind up starting at some point this season. But I don’t expect that to be in Week 1.”
“I think it would be an upset if Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett were not the Browns opening day starting QB” - @AdamSchefter via @UnSportsESPN
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 17, 2025
Schefter does not rule out Shedeur Sanders playing well in camp and taking over early in the season 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/yhkHRTQ6ph
When is the Browns’ first game of 2025?
Seeking to return to the NFL playoffs after finishing with a 3-14 record last season, the Browns are heading into their sixth year under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
In Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, Cleveland hosts the Bengals on Sunday, September 7, with kick-off at Huntington Bank Field scheduled for at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.
Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the Browns’ season opener on Fox, and can stream the network’s coverage on fubo, which offers a free trial.
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