Since becoming the Cleveland Browns‘ head coach in 2020, Kevin Stefanski has done a lot of things right, including ending the franchise’s 18-year playoff drought in his very first season. But behind that two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year trophy lies a relentless issue that has quietly sabotaged his tenure: quarterback instability. He has coached more quarterbacks than almost any other head coach in the NFL since 2020. Despite being a sharp play-caller and steady presence, Stefanski’s career record sits at 40–44 (regular season), but this season might just worsen.

Stefanski still hasn’t named a starter from a quarterback room that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco, who led the Browns to a 4–1 finish in 2023, took the fewest reps in camp. Sanders, despite standout OTA performances (9 TDs, 1 INT, 77% completion rate per team drills), has been limited to second-string reps and struggled during his first full-team session (3-for-8, 0 TDs). Gabriel has reportedly had the early edge, but Stefanski has yet to tip his hand. With Deshaun Watson out for the year and no clear leader under center, the situation is already bleeding into the camp rhythm and beyond.

That’s exactly what Hall of Famer OT Joe Thomas warned about. Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, he pointed to quarterback ambiguity as one of the most destabilizing forces a team can face.

“I think it causes a lot of distractions and disruption within the offense, within a team when you don’t know who that leader is, who’s your quarterback, because even if you’re a wallflower, if you’re the starting quarterback, you are the unquestioned leader of that team.”

That’s experience talking, from a guy who blocked for more QBs than he’d care to count. In Thomas’ view, naming the starter quickly isn’t about skipping due diligence; Kevin Stefanski needs to give his team someone to rally behind. “Guys want to know who they’re supposed to look to in times of trials and tribulation. So, I think a quick resolution is the most important thing.”

Of course, he would know. Just look at the 2016 Browns: five starting quarterbacks (Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Charlie Whitehurst, and even Kevin Hogan), a 1–15 record, broken offense, and zero rhythm through the chaotic season. Thomas also revealed his solution: “The quick answer would be Joe Flacco. He’s the known quantity.”

Flacco saved Cleveland’s 2023 season, going 4-1 as a starter, throwing for over 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns, and dragging them to the playoffs. “He knows the offense. He can still sling the ball,” Thomas said. “He’s going to put everybody in the right spot. Flacco’s going to make the right audibles. He’s going to get us where we need to be so we can operate efficiently.”

That kind of familiarity matters in a locker room still trying to heal from quarterback chaos. Especially when the alternatives, however talented, come with question marks, inexperience, or both.

Browns HOFer reveals real reason behind Shedeur Sanders’ hate

Joe Thomas isn’t easily impressed. But when it comes to Shedeur Sanders—the Browns’ viral fifth-round pick—he’s seeing more than flash. “I think that most of the guys in today’s NFL and the Browns locker room are pretty comfortable with having celebrities on Instagram and social media,” Thomas said on 92.3 The Fan (July 24). “It might have been a little bit different when I was playing. I mean, I really didn’t even have social media.”

Back then, social media stars were distractions. “Some of the older guys would have maybe looked down on him a little bit and said, ‘Why don’t you focus on football?‘” Thomas admitted. That’s changed—and Stefanski better recognize it.

Shedeur isn’t chasing clout; he is clout. “It’s not like he’s doing crazy things and posting ridiculous Jake Paul videos. He’s just really famous because, one, his dad was one of the most flashy, famous, flamboyant NFL players of certainly our generation. And Shedeur had a very successful career.” That’s right. Kevin Stefanski’s rookie has a massive fan following.

Even as a Day 3 pick, Shedeur entered the league with Day 1 magnetism. The first college athlete to land a Nike NIL deal. A Beats by Dre endorser. A social following bigger than some NFL teams.

That presence is already paying off. Per a viral post from @cassius30, Shedeur’s rookie jersey sales have reportedly cleared $250 million, earning him a $14 million commission—numbers that would make him the top-selling rookie since Deion Sanders. When Deion arrived at Colorado in 2023, merchandise sales jumped 1,220% (Front Office Sports). That energy didn’t vanish—it followed Shedeur to Cleveland.

Thomas isn’t crowning him. But he’s not dismissing him either. The Browns didn’t just draft a quarterback. They drafted a brand.