The Cleveland Browns are looking for a new starting quarterback. Will Joe Flacco be the one under center for the Browns in Week 1?
What Is Going On With Deshaun Watson?
From Deshaun Watson's latest Instagram post. pic.twitter.com/cGpaieN3Ar
— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) May 20, 2025
The year is 2025, and Deshaun Watson remains under contract with the Cleveland Browns.
The Watson trade has been an abhorrent disaster for the Browns. Watson has only played 19 games in three seasons, which includes a 9-10 record.
Watson is currently rehabbing an Achilles injury and will miss most of the 2025 season. Frankly, Cleveland might not even play Watson if he returns by the end of the year.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland will likely be defined by what many believe is the worst contract in NFL history. Watson has two years left on a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract he signed in March 2022.
The Browns still owe Watson $92 million. However, the organization restructured Watson’s deal in March to give the team more cap flexibility.
Who Will Take First Snap For The Browns In Week 1?
| Browns Starting Quarterback In Week 1 | Odds |
|---|---|
| Joe Flacco | -125 |
| Kenny Pickett | +160 |
| Shedeur Sanders | +350 |
| Dillon Gabriel | +900 |
| Deshaun Watson | +2500 |
Odds via BetOnline on 5/23/25 at 2:45 p.m. ET
According to the oddsmakers, Watson (+2500) is the biggest dark horse to play for the Browns in Week 1. Frankly, Watson won’t even be ready to play in September.
The Browns enter training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster: Joe Flacco (-125), Kenny Pickett (+160), Shedeur Sanders (+350), and Dillon Gabriel (+900).
Flacco, 40, is considered the favorite because of his past history with head coach Kevin Stefanski.
In November 2023, Flacco signed with the Browns and eventually became the starter. Flacco went 4-1 in the regular season and led the Browns to the postseason. Flacco was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Pickett has a good shot to beat out Flacco for the starting job. The Browns acquired Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pickett is 15–10 as a starting quarterback.
Sanders and Gabriel are rookies and will be fighting for backup spots.
