ClutchPoints
Cleveland Browns fans are used to hype, heartbreak, and everything in between. However, this year’s minicamp added a new twist: mystery. There’s uncertainty swirling around the quarterback room and the departure of a franchise icon in Nick Chubb. This team went through an offseason that raised more questions than answers. Not surprisingly, the Browns emerged from their three-day mandatory minicamp in Berea with a handful of talking points that could define their 2025 campaign.
Some developments confirmed what insiders suspected, while others caught even the most optimistic observers off guard. If minicamp is any indication, this Browns team may be a lot more unpredictable than it looked just a few weeks ago.
The Browns avoided catastrophe this spring when Myles Garrett’s surprising trade request didn’t materialize into a deal. Retaining their All-Pro pass rusher kept the defensive foundation intact. Beyond that, though, Cleveland’s offseason left much to be desired.
Yes, the front office did secure promising defensive tackle Mason Graham and an extra 2026 first-rounder by trading down with Jacksonville in the draft. That said, it came at the steep cost of passing on do-it-all phenom Travis Hunter. On the offensive side, the quarterback room remains unsettled. There is just no clear long-term solution under center. The offensive line, once a strength, remains a looming concern. With contract expirations across that unit, the Browns’ failure to reinforce the trenches may haunt them come October.
Yet amid all the turbulence, minicamp offered a few glimmers of clarity. And in Cleveland, clarity is a welcome change. Here we’ll try to look at the three hottest takeaways coming out of the Cleveland Browns’ 2025 minicamp.
Yes, the Browns quarterback room is still a riddle. On the flip side, here’s what minicamp showed: Joe Flacco is currently in the driver’s seat.
After watching his younger counterparts rotate through reps with the first-, second-, and third-string units during the early sessions, Flacco took center stage on the final day. He led the first-team offense in 11-on-11 drills. Head coach Kevin Stefanski hasn’t publicly named a starter. However, the messaging through usage is unmistakable: Flacco is QB1.
This isn’t just a case of veteran favoritism. At 40, Flacco isn’t getting run-of-the-mill minicamp reps because he doesn’t need them. He knows the playbook. He has chemistry with guys like David Njoku and Jerome Ford. Flacco also brings a calm, commanding presence that no other quarterback on the roster can match. The Browns’ conservative handling of his snaps suggests they’re preserving him, not evaluating him.
Behind Flacco, Kenny Pickett remains the front office’s pet project. The team still believes in his upside. However, his performance in minicamp didn’t turn any heads. His accuracy waned during red-zone sessions, and he looked hesitant against pressure packages. Pickett may still be the Week 1 starter if the team prioritizes youth and upside. That said, make no mistake: right now, the job is Flacco’s to...
