After starting the preseason 2-0 and seeing both rookie quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, have live game success, Kevin Stefanski was quickly asked if he was ready to name a starter yet.
Kevin Stefanski says he will name a starting QB for week 1 this week. pic.twitter.com/GgSVDKsovF
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 17, 2025
For the first time, we got a real answer when he said, “We will name a starter (at QB) this week.” Per Tony Grossi on X Sunday afternoon.
At this point, the coaching staff likely has a really good idea of who that starter will be, but fans and media can only speculate. While it felt like it was Kenny Pickett's job to lose early in camp, a hamstring injury and strong performance from Joe Flacco have likely put him in the driver's seat as the Week 1 starter.
The real wrench right now is how well the two rookies both looked in their start this preseason. It would be the wrong decision to throw Sanders or Gabriel on the field in Week 1, but they did show that with a solid month or two of practices and a drive or two of action in a few regular-season games, they could potentially be ready to take over by the end of the season.
Stefanski is going to put this team in the best situation to win games, and right now, with Flacco as the starter, it is what makes the most sense.