Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or C.J. Stroud

Monday, August 11, 11:30 AM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) remains limited to seven-on-seven drills in practice, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Pickett has been battling a hamstring strain since late July. He's still technically in the race to be the Browns' Week 1 starting quarterback, but all indications are that veteran Joe Flacco is the heavy favorite to win the job. With Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) both unavailable for the Browns' first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Shedeur Sanders was the team's starting quarterback. Gabriel is participating in 11-on-11 drills in practice on Monday, so he could be in line to get his first preseason action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.

Wednesday, July 16, 2:47 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a sophomore slump following his fantastic rookie season in 2023 out of Ohio State. After throwing for more than 4,100 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games in Year 1, he regressed to just over 3,700 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 picks in Year 2. Entering 2025 in what could set him up for a lucrative contract extension, Stroud has trained hard to improve his physical fitness. "I've been working really hard on getting my body right -- losing body fat, trying to be faster, stronger," Stroud said. "And it went really well. ... [Working] pocket mobility, running out the pocket, throwing the rock. Everything kind of works hand in hand." Last season, Houston's offensive line struggled mightily, and Stroud was sacked 63 times, good for the second-most in the NFL behind only Caleb Williams (68). The offensive line could remain an issue after the team traded away franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but sacks are often largely a quarterback stat, too. If Stroud can become more dynamic operating inside and outside of the pocket, it could create more downfield opportunities for pass-catchers Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Jayden Higgins, among others.