He's since said he wasn't referring to SS, but he may have hurt himself in the eyes of some teammates. No offense meant
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Shedeur Sanders - 2023-25 Tracking History Thread - Drafted by the Cleveland Browns (NFL)
- Thread starter #1 pick
- Start date
So the Brown’s bring in two long-term veteran QBs: one is in it entirely for himself at age 40, the other is D. Watson.
Stay classy Cleveland.
Pilotbuff
Well-Known Member
I don’t understand Flacco being there especially if he isn’t going to mentor the younger QB’s. I think it speaks volumes about his professionalism but then again we are talking about the Browns.
Medford M.
Well-Known Member
There’s no reason for him to be on the roster.
The only thing Flacco can do is possibly win them one or two extra games, knocking them out of the top of the draft
Exactly. Maybe a vet who was signed with the understanding that he's the backup to a young QB, but that's never said publicly. Last time I remember that was in Pittsburgh when they had Charlie Batch to be that guy for Roethlisberger, who needed to become more of a professional.
If this is an accurate reflection of what is happening Flacco is actually doing some valuable mentoring. It makes sense that his focus is on his own game and position but it also looks like he isn't being a jerk about it and is a resouce to the rookies.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...re-mentorship-moment-with-shedeur/ar-AA1GKVjx
Flacco is a pretty stoic guy, but teammates generally like him as a lunch pail guy that is a professional and doesn’t bring a lot of drama. I do remember that Ray Lewis called him out years ago in Baltimore for his “passion”, but he’s not a rah rah personality and never will be.
His “not a mentor” comments are just his version of saying he’s at Cleveland to win the starting job and not resign himself to holding a clipboard for some young buck.
The QB situation in Cleveland is fascinating.
First, you hardly ever see a team draft two QBs in the same class. And for good reason, as it’s hard to find good reps to develop both players.
Second, the Browns have accumulated draft capital for 2026 with the clear eye on snagging a top QB in the 2026 class, which many draft gurus consider a much deeper and talented class than 2025.
Third, you go and trade a pick for Pickett, as a reclamation project. But now you’ve really limited the amount of reps the two rookies can get.
Fourth, you basically hand the starter job over to 41 year old Joe Flacco, who nobody sees as a long term option for the team.
Now I could understand riding the back of Flacco for the first 4 to 6 games as you bring a young player along. But is there enough time and reps and games to really see what Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders can do? And if one of these players has some ups and downs through the year, is that enough? Do you still spend all that draft capital on another QB?
First, you hardly ever see a team draft two QBs in the same class. And for good reason, as it’s hard to find good reps to develop both players.
Second, the Browns have accumulated draft capital for 2026 with the clear eye on snagging a top QB in the 2026 class, which many draft gurus consider a much deeper and talented class than 2025.
Third, you go and trade a pick for Pickett, as a reclamation project. But now you’ve really limited the amount of reps the two rookies can get.
Fourth, you basically hand the starter job over to 41 year old Joe Flacco, who nobody sees as a long term option for the team.
Now I could understand riding the back of Flacco for the first 4 to 6 games as you bring a young player along. But is there enough time and reps and games to really see what Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders can do? And if one of these players has some ups and downs through the year, is that enough? Do you still spend all that draft capital on another QB?
Right. They had/have an opportunity to commit and let Shedeur (or Gabriel I guess) show if he has the ability to build around, where they can then spend two 1s next year doing just that, but instead, they seem content just half assing it and committing to no one for this year. Bad franchises stay bad.
And a few years back they traded the farm and their morals for Deshaun Watson, who is starting to get healthy
For now, the dude is like 42. Shedeur just needs to get 100.
Everyone knew that would be the QB1 to begin the season. What the entire country wants to know and would be actual news is who is QB2/3/4.
when Flacco inevitably drops back to pass and proceeds to crumble into a smoldering pile of bone and ashes, who will be the qb they send in? no matter what they do now, everyone is going to laugh at them. they will have to admit they ****ed up their draft in a big way.
Adam over at Buffstampede tweeted yesterday that Stefanski said he would not keep four QBs on the Browns’ roster. I think the tweet overstated it a bit, but it’s the first time I’ve heard some serious reluctance on keeping 4 QBs. Someone is getting traded. 247 Browns insiders think it will be Pickett.
It will almost certainly be Pickett. The question is, what happens when Watson comes back?
Well, if it’s late enough in the season, maybe you’ve figured out the QB room more. Or you move on from a depth piece late in the season in a position group where there have been no injuries.
If Watson gets healthy September 30th, then that’s a problem.
In the NFL, nobody but QB1 gets actual practice reps once the season starts. Others are getting "mental reps" watching the starters and running the opposing offense for look squad against the defense. So keeping 4 is a complete waste of a roster spot.
So, they have to keep Flacco and Watson. If they trade or release Pickett, isn’t the last spot between Shedeur and Gabriel?
They can continue to hold him on IR for a period of time. They are "almost" forced to carry him eventually. If they release him now his dead cap number is a crazy $167 million, if they release him after he is on next years contract that number is still $131 million. If they carry him through the 2026 season his voided years spread the money out until 2029 or they can take a dead cap hit after 2026 of $50 million.
If he comes back and they are at a point they can no longer justify keeping him on IR they may end up just doing like the Raiders did with Jimmy G. and keep him on the 53 but have him practice by himself on the other end of the field and not dress him for games unless they have an emergency.
But this is the Browns so don't count on what they do making sense.
Flacco's dead cap hit is only about $3 million, Kenny Pickett is about $2.6. They would love somebody to give them any draft pick for Pickett but since teams now aren't playing starting QBs much in pre-season the hope of someone losing their QB to injury and needing a stopgap is very small.
They might keep all four hoping that somebody does lose their QB early season and is willing to trade for a veteran like Pickett with the idea that if that doesn't happen they eventually cut him and use his spot for Watson.
As much as he cost them I don't think they have any idea of bringing Watson back to actually play for them.
I get this is unofficial and it's still preseason but Pickett #2??
JMBuffs
Well-Known Member
Descending by age
#1 pick
Well-Known Member
I understand why some fans are frustrated and want him to leave Cleveland. I just don't believe it will happen. If he does leave, here's my list
Hot:
Atlanta Falcons: Penix injury history. No 1st round pick so they aren't going to ever look for a QB. Cousins is there for just one season. Elite offensive personnel.
Jacksonville: Trevor has an injury concern too and his play is sporadic. No 1st round pick. No backup QB right now. Travis and a good group of weapons.
Cleveland: Trade Pickett or Gabriel and this situation makes sense. Risky of course with two 1st rounders. They bet on him and he has fans already here so keep riding the path.
Warm:
Jets: Don't really like the team but I like the QB situation. Could see Shedeur starting by week 4. Just don't love the team.
Saints: Hate the team but could see 3 QBs by week 5. It's a team he will likely play. Just don't love the situation and it's not the best for his career.
Lukewarm:
Rams: He should play. That said, two 1sts, didn't love him in the process. I think he could do better long term.
Lions: Goff is their franchise QB but I am not sold on Allen or Hooker. Let's say Goff is hurt and they play Shedeur, you know he's gonna ball. That said, unlikely to get a truth chance.
Others that I like in this range are Arizona, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay.
Teams I wish were available is Denver and San Francisco.
Hot:
Atlanta Falcons: Penix injury history. No 1st round pick so they aren't going to ever look for a QB. Cousins is there for just one season. Elite offensive personnel.
Jacksonville: Trevor has an injury concern too and his play is sporadic. No 1st round pick. No backup QB right now. Travis and a good group of weapons.
Cleveland: Trade Pickett or Gabriel and this situation makes sense. Risky of course with two 1st rounders. They bet on him and he has fans already here so keep riding the path.
Warm:
Jets: Don't really like the team but I like the QB situation. Could see Shedeur starting by week 4. Just don't love the team.
Saints: Hate the team but could see 3 QBs by week 5. It's a team he will likely play. Just don't love the situation and it's not the best for his career.
Lukewarm:
Rams: He should play. That said, two 1sts, didn't love him in the process. I think he could do better long term.
Lions: Goff is their franchise QB but I am not sold on Allen or Hooker. Let's say Goff is hurt and they play Shedeur, you know he's gonna ball. That said, unlikely to get a truth chance.
Others that I like in this range are Arizona, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay.
Teams I wish were available is Denver and San Francisco.
Cleveland or the Rams. He can sit behind Stafford and then take over in ‘26. That would be a dream situation
For Cleveland they proved they were the only team willing to take a chance on him. Just have to hope Flacco sucks or gets injured. Then he has to seize his opportunity when it comes
#1 pick
Well-Known Member
The Rams didn't like him in the process and they have two 1sts. That could be a dead end honestly. That's why I am lukewarm. The Browns legit could roll with Shedeur in 2026 as their franchise QB. The fact that the option is still on the table is why I am still hot on the Browns.