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Shedeur Sanders and his teammates might be fueling an ongoing revolution that could push the Cleveland Browns to make an unexpected decision regarding Joe Flacco, a player initially expected to compete directly with Kenny Pickett for the starting quarterback role.
But in just weeks, the team's quarterback landscape has shifted dramatically, with a roster now featuring both Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, another player acquired through the 2025 NFL Draft.
Is Joe Flacco Out of the Picture?
At least that's the scenario outlined in an article identifying potential cuts across all 32 NFL teams. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggested that the 18-season veteran might not be on the roster when Week 1 begins.
"The Browns won't have Deshaun Watson in 2025, after he suffered two consecutive Achilles tears," Knox wrote. "However, they traded for Kenny Pickett before drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns probably won't carry four quarterbacks into the regular season, and the 40-year-old Flacco simply doesn't carry long-term value."
After leading the Cleveland Browns to the postseason in 2023, Flacco spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he struggled in six starts. He posted a 2-4 record, throwing for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while enduring 18 sacks. Flacco returned to the Browns in free agency on a one-year, $4.25 million contract.
While cutting him wouldn't provide significant salary cap relief, Flacco remains a prime candidate for release. The contracts of Gabriel and Sanders secure the rookies' spots in Cleveland for four years, and Pickett, who turns 27 in June, offers more long-term potential than Flacco.
This could be good or bad news for Shedeur Sanders. Losing Flacco means parting with a valuable mentor early in his career, which could be crucial for his development and first steps in the NFL.