Cleveland Browns May Have Their Next Baker Mayfield
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The Cleveland Browns have four quarterbacks on their roster competing for the starting job. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders are all fighting for playing time with training camp now underway.
For a long time, the Browns have been desperately searching for a long-term franchise quarterback. Sadly, they probably had that guy on the roster in the form of Baker Mayfield, but they ran out of patience with him and moved on.
Since moving on from Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall pick has become a star with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All Cleveland can do is watch him succeed with the Buccaneers and think about what could have been.
Quarterbacks Kenny Pickett #8 Joe Flacco #15 Shedeur Sanders #12 Dillon Gabriel #5 of the Cleveland Browns warm up before organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
Quarterbacks Kenny Pickett #8 Joe Flacco #15 Shedeur Sanders #12 Dillon Gabriel #5 of the Cleveland Browns warm up before organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
Photo byThat being said, it sounds like the Browns might have their next Mayfield already on the roster.
Read more: Vikings' Justin Jefferson Makes His Feelings Known About JJ McCarthy
Right now, Flacco is widely expected to be the Week 1 starting quarterback with Pickett being viewed as the No. 2. That could change throughout training camp and preseason action.
During an appearance speaking with the "Cleveland's Talking Heads" show, cornerback Greg Newsome spoke out about his belief that Pickett has a lot of Mayfield in his game.
"He's always been one of my favorite guys to compete against. He's a guy that reminds me of that tenacity that Baker had," Newsome said. "Trying to go at you, he's gonna talk some trash with you, and just an ultimate competitor. He does whatever the offense needs from him to win."
Pickett was originally the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has played three years in the NFL thus far with mixed results.
Read more: Shedeur Sanders Sounds Off on Browns Future With Blunt Statement
Throughout the 30 games he has played, including five last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pickett has completed 62.4 percent of his pass attempts for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He has also run for 306 yards and five more scores.
At just 27 years old, Pickett could be a long-term option for Cleveland if he proves he can be a starter for the franchise. The Browns badly need someone to step up and take over the reigns under center.
Expect to see the quarterback competition pick up in the coming days. Pickett will keep fighting for time and is clearly making an impact on his teammates.
For more Cleveland Browns and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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