The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition just got a lot more interesting after the injury to Kenny Pickett. Who is in line to win the job?
Kenny Pickett Injured During Practice
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Kenny Pickett injuring his hamstring: pic.twitter.com/Ge7CjLTfqu
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 28, 2025
Pickett’s quest to win the starting job suffered a setback.
The fifth-year quarterback suffered a hamstring injury late in Saturday’s practice. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pickett will be reevaluated later this week.
Pickett appeared to be in the pole position to win the starting quarterback job. However, the injury will cause Pickett to miss several days of practice.
Pickett had been splitting the majority of the first-team reps with veteran Joe Flacco. With Pickett out, Flacco will now take most of the reps with the starting offense.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided minimal updates about Pickett’s injury before Monday’s practice.
“I don’t have a timeline,” Stefanski said via ESPN. “With something like this, we’ll see how it goes. But his mindset, my mindset, we’ll just go day-to-day.”
Stefanski downplayed the significance of the injury, saying Pickett will rehab and return to practice “quickly.”
Pickett’s absence also increases the reps that will be given to the rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources. Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps… pic.twitter.com/y2oxkt96fy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025
Browns QB Competition: Where It Stands
This play really showcased Dillon Gabriel's athleticism and ability to make difficult throws when necessary. pic.twitter.com/aXISNtAOd9
— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) July 26, 2025
The Browns entered training camp with four quarterbacks — Pickett, Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders — competing for the starting position.
Pickett has been the likely candidate to start in Week 1 because of what Cleveland gave up to acquire him. The Browns traded quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick for Pickett.
The 2022 first-round pick played for two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett went 14-10 as the starter, throwing for 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a 62.6% completion percentage.
Pickett’s inconsistent play made it easier for Pittsburgh to move on from him.
Pickett is in the final year of his rookie contract, so Cleveland is not taking a huge financial risk on the former Pittsburgh product.
Stefanski already knows what he has in Flacco, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year who led Cleveland to the playoffs that season.
If there’s one silver lining for Stefanski, Pickett’s injury will allow him to see more of Gabriel and Sanders with the first and second teams. This might make it easier to decide on which rookie to keep and which one to move.
The Browns open the preseason against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8.
