Kevin Stefanski has quietly become one of the NFL’s more adaptable head coaches, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. He’s coached his way through a carousel of signal-callers in Cleveland, but this offseason marks a strategic pivot. Stefanski wants more than just a plug-and-play passer; he’s hunting for the traits that unlock long-term stability. In February, he laid it out clearly: decision-making, accuracy, and processing speed are non-negotiables.

“I think accuracy, obviously, innate ability to put the ball where it needs to be is important. […] . So, I think all these players are different. All their traits are different. So that’s where it’s so important for us right now, down here, on the 30 visits, on the pro days, just to get to know the person, get to know the player.” This is what Kevin said. Basically, he’s saying: no more of Deshaun Watson, and we are fly.

That’s where Kenny Pickett enters the picture—and why Stefanski sees a little Sam Darnold potential in him. The Browns aren’t just rolling the dice on a former first-rounder; they’re betting on the “change of scenery” model that turned Darnold from an NFL afterthought into a 14-3 starter in Minnesota.

Stefanski watched Darnold blossom in Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly offense (career best numbers with 4319 yds and 39 TDs) and believes he can replicate that formula in Cleveland with Pickett, who’s now surrounded by a more tailored scheme and an open competition for QB1.

Pickett is stepping into a uniquely fluid quarterback room. Watson—technically still under contract—may have played his final snap for the Browns due to yet another Achilles injury. Joe Flacco was signed to be a stabilizing vet, but his late-season turnover spree has tempered expectations. And while the Browns own the No. 2 pick in the draft, all signs point to the team using it on a non-quarterback. Translation: the door is wide open for Pickett to prove he’s more than a bridge.

He’s already acting like the job is his to lose. “I’m not going there to hang out,” Pickett said recently. “I want to go play.” That kind of edge is exactly what Stefanski’s looking for—and it matches what Browns brass have reportedly been saying behind closed doors. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com noted the organization is “really, really high” on Pickett and had been eyeing him since last season.

And they’re not dreaming blindly, either. Pickett may not have set the league on fire in Pittsburgh, but he showed enough in Philly last year to warrant another look, especially in a system that won’t ask him to play hero ball. His 15 career touchdowns may not scream “franchise QB,” but neither did Darnold’s numbers before 2024. Per Cabot, “I think the Browns are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with him [Kenny].” 

The key, as Stefanski sees it, is fit—and whether Pickett can take the mental leap from functional to surgical. The Browns aren’t just looking for a bounce-back year—they’re trying to reset their entire quarterback room which is currently in a messy state.

Joe Flacco spills tea on Kevin Stefanski’s under-center plans

Teaser: It’s NOTHING! Joe Flacco didn’t sugarcoat it on ESPN Cleveland. “I don’t think there’s any expectation of exactly who’s going to be the starting quarterback.” He left the Dawg Pound barking with one big question mark over who’s actually running Kevin Stefanski’s offense in week 1.

And honestly, how could there be any certainty right now? Deshaun Watson’s shoulder saga is still ongoing. Kenny Pickett just landed. And Joe? He’s 40, sure, but the man just dragged Cleveland to the playoffs with six games of vintage rocket-arm energy. The Browns brought him back for a reason—but they’re not handing him the keys just yet.

Don’t forget, Stefanski’s system made Case Keenum look like a playoff hero once upon a time. He knows how to squeeze every last drop out of his QBs. Which is probably why the Browns haven’t ruled out drafting a rookie. If they don’t take one in the top two, they’ll likely pounce later—meaning this quarterback room could look like a three-way training camp brawl.

So what’s Flacco’s actual standing? Think of it this way: it’s his job to lose. Unless Pickett morphs into pre-injury Carson Wentz or a rookie shows up looking like rookie-year C.J. Stroud, Flacco’s experience and poise give him the early edge. But it’s far from a done deal. Stefanski’s offense isn’t about star power—it’s about rhythm, timing, and someone who won’t chuck it into triple coverage on 3rd-and-4.

And if you’re wondering why Cleveland didn’t go hard after Kirk Cousins? That’s where it gets real spicy. They saw Flacco as a Cousins-lite. Cheaper. Familiar. Less baggage. And more than capable of running the show. The Browns even tossed $4 million in base pay his way, with incentives pushing that total up to $13 million if the season goes deep. That’s not clipboard money.

Bottom line? This QB room is still sorting itself out. But Flacco’s back, Stefanski’s playing it cool, and the Browns aren’t trying to force anything. Keep an eye on OTAs and camp—it’s about to get crowded, fast.