Pickett Emerges as Surprising Favorite in Browns' Quarterback Competition

Kenny Pickett wasn't supposed to be the answer. Now he's the betting favorite to start for the Browns.

Current betting lines show him as the favorite at +120 odds on FanDuel, with DraftKings listing him at -110, a significant shift from when he was viewed as a potential backup option. The Browns' quarterback situation became urgent following Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles injury.

While many expected the team to lean heavily on Flacco's 2023 Comeback Player of the Year credentials or fast-track one of their rookie acquisitions, a different narrative has emerged from camp. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't been shy about his confidence in Pickett. "He's a guy I believe in," Stefanski said.

The coach expanded during OTAs, telling reporters: "I'm really excited about what Kenny brings to the team. He's a guy that works extremely hard at his craft."

Those words have been backed by action on the practice field. Spring practices concluded with Pickett and Gabriel leading quarterbacks in reps, while Flacco maintained a lighter workload and Sanders received fewer opportunities with the first-team defense.

Pickett's path to Cleveland began with a March trade from Philadelphia, where he spent just one season after being selected 20th overall by Pittsburgh in 2022. The former Pitt standout brings legitimate NFL starting experience: his 25 career starts significantly outweigh the combined experience of the rookie duo transitioning from successful college careers.

At 26, Pickett offers something neither veteran Flacco nor the rookies can: the combination of NFL readiness with long-term upside potential.

Unlike the 40-year-old Flacco, who represents a short-term solution, Pickett could theoretically grow with the franchise while providing immediate stability. His familiarity with AFC North competition adds another layer of appeal. Having faced Cleveland, Baltimore, and Cincinnati multiple times during his Pittsburgh tenure, he possesses invaluable divisional knowledge that neither rookie can match.

Pickett himself has embraced the competition while acknowledging the learning curve. "Coming in, learning the system, getting to meet my teammates and building that bond and just working every day," he said during minicamp. "You have to take it a day at a time. We're installing new things every day."

This measured approach appears to be resonating with the coaching staff. The combination of Stefanski's public endorsement, increased practice reps, and shifting betting markets suggests confidence is building around Pickett's candidacy.

While the Browns remain publicly committed to evaluating all four quarterbacks through training camp, Pickett has positioned himself as the logical middle ground - experienced enough to start immediately, young enough to serve as more than a bridge quarterback.