Training Camp Log, Day 1: Joe Flacco gets off to strong start in QB derby

QB TRACKER: Coach Kevin Stefanski cautioned against reading too much into the order and number of repetitions for the quarterbacks in the early practices of camp because he expects to roll all four candidates through the drills. That doesn't mean people can't talk about the competition.Joe Flacco took the first rep with the starting offense on air and in seven-on-seven drills. Kenny Pickett worked with the first team in the only 11-on-11 drill of the day. He was followed by rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, while Flacco sat out that one. Sanders' best throw came in 7-on-7 when he hit receiver Gage Larvadain on an out route.Browns Shedeur Sanders with sideline completion. pic.twitter.com/DjhPsO0oCA— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 23, 2025https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsABSENT SLIPS: Tight end David Njoku and linebacker Jordan Hicks were excused for personal reasons. Njoku posted on social media this week that his father died.Running back Jerome Ford (undisclosed injury, believed to be minor) didn't practice.Myles Garrett sets expectations high on Day 1: Super Bowl and another DPOYPLAY OF THE DAY: During the 11-on-11 drill, Gabriel hung in the pocket and hit Larvadain, an undrafted rookie, on a deep corner route for a touchdown. Gabriel was 1-for-2 in the drill with a scramble, and the completion was his best and longest pass of the day.CAMPER OF THE DAY: Flacco made the most of limited opportunities, going 5-for-5 in the seven-on-seven drill, including a deep out to receiver Michael Woods II.QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Yeah, I think I'm capable. I'm definitely a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player. I take things a day at a time. Rewards and all that stuff, that'll come down the road whenever. But my focus is just to be the best I can each day." — Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward.Toughness emphasized as training camp startsNEXT UP: The Browns practice again Thursday at 4:25 p.m. and it's closed to fans, who will attend for the first time Friday. General manager Andrew Berry is scheduled to talk before practice.The post Training Camp Log, Day 1: Joe Flacco gets off to strong start in QB derby first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.