Overview

• Cleveland announced Flacco would start the opener against the Bengals and is set to start Saturday’s preseason finale vs. the Rams.
• The reported depth chart behind Flacco places Pickett ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
• Limited practice availability has shaped evaluations, with Pickett lacking 11-on-11 work or a preseason snap since a hamstring issue, Sanders managing an oblique injury, and Gabriel dealing with a minor hamstring.
• Some fans questioned Pickett’s No. 2 status given his limited reps, a point of scrutiny as roster cuts to 53 approach and Stefanski described the choices as "tough."
• With two 2026 first-round picks and a highly regarded QB class projected, analysts argue the team must find regular-season snaps for the rookies to gauge long-term answers.