Shedeur Sanders could get major help from Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland Browns quarterback competition
As the days go by, the quarterback competition drama with the Cleveland Browns continues to deliver new chapters: some say Joe Flacco will start, others that Kenny Pickett will be cut, or that Dillon Gabriel’s days are numbered, or even that Shedeur Sanders will beat them all – every day brings a new version.
Shedeur Sanders gets uneasy over a sensitive topic
The only person who truly knows what’s going on is Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has repeatedly stated that the quarterback situation is an “open competition.” However, according to several insiders, the one leading in Stefanski’s mind to start in Week 1 is Joe Flacco.
It’s worth noting that of the four quarterbacks in the running, Joe Flacco is the only one with experience playing for the Browns and in Stefanski’s system. He played for Cleveland at the end of the 2023 season, posting a 4-1 record, throwing 13 touchdowns, and leading the team to the playoffs.
James Jones believes Starting Joe Flacco would be a mistake
Everything seems to indicate that Joe Flacco will be the starter unless something changes. Kenny Pickett is fighting for the job, as are the rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders – though Sanders is the only one who hasn’t had a single opportunity to train with the first team.
Super Bowl-winning wide receiver (2010, Green Bay Packers) James Jones believes that starting Joe Flacco would be a mistake by Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns. He also believes Kenny Pickett should be the starter.
“Pickett is still very young,” said Jones. “If he goes out and plays well, that’s a bonus for your team, and then you have two young guys behind him that you’re developing.”
Jones hopes that Pickett, who was a first-round pick in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be named the Browns’ starting quarterback.
“Joe Flacco going out there, I absolutely disagree with that because he’s older,” said Jones. “You’re not going to win a lot. But with Kenny Pickett out there, he’s young. He was a first-round pick.”
It’s just one opinion – and surely many more will follow in the coming days. Until the season begins, this situation will continue. One thing is certain: in Cleveland, the Shedeur Sanders saga seems far from over.
Long-awaited agreement brings major Paycor Stadium upgrades and keeps Bengals downtown for the long haul.
After months of back-and-forth and some tough public conversations, Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Bengalshave come to terms on a major agreement that secures the team’s future downtown.
On Thursday, county commissioners approved a $470 million plan that will fund significant renovations to Paycor Stadium and keep the Bengals in their longtime home through at least 2036. The current lease was set to expire after the 2025 season, and with a June 30 deadline looming, pressure had been mounting to get something done.
Unlike earlier proposals that topped $1 billion, this plan is notably scaled back. The county will cap its contribution at $350 million, while the Bengals and the NFL-via the league’s G-5 loan program-will put in $120 million. It’s a more balanced approach than what fans and analysts have seen in other cities, where public funding often far outweighs team contributions.
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Bengals executive VP Katie Blackburn called the vote a turning point. “We’re proud to call Paycor Stadium our home and to keep our future here in Cincinnati, where it belongs,” she said in a statement.
The county board voted 2-0 to approve the deal. Commissioner Alicia Reece abstained, continuing to voice concerns about the overall structure and long-term impact of the public investment. Still, the agreement is being hailed as a pragmatic solution-especially compared to the original $1.2 billion renovation plan revealed by MSA Sport last year.
Under the proposed lease terms, the Bengals will pay rent for the first time since the stadium opened in 2000-$1 million annually for three years, and $2 million per year after that. Additionally, a new clause gives the county some power over lease extensions if the team performs financially, specifically if the Bengals rank in the top 24 for league-wide revenue.
How Does Cincinnati Stack Up?
Compared to other NFL cities, Hamilton County’s contribution stands out as relatively modest. The Carolina Panthers’ current stadium project is receiving more than 80% public funding, according to The Charlotte Observer, while the Baltimore Ravens are contributing just $20 million to a $490 million renovation, per The Baltimore Sun.
Meanwhile, state funding remains an open question in Ohio. Though the Bengals and the county have asked for help, none has been allocated yet. That contrasts sharply with Cleveland, where the Browns are expected to receive $600 million in state support for their own multibillion-dollar project (Cleveland.com).