The Cleveland Browns have erased any lingering questions about their highly publicized quarterback competition.
The team announced Monday that veteran Joe Flacco will start at quarterback when the Browns open the season Sept. 7 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 40-year-old Flacco, who is entering his 18th NFL season, will also start Thursday’s preseason finale versus the Los Angeles Rams. Flacco has yet to play this preseason.
Flacco beat out Kenny Pickett and Tyler Huntley, as well as rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Deshaun Watson is also on the roster but is expected to miss the 2025 season because of an Achilles injury.
Why Did the Browns Name Joe Flacco Their Starting Quarterback?
Flacco has already some familiarity with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense. He went 4-1 as a starter with Cleveland late in 2023, averaging more than 300 passing yards per game as the Browns made the playoffs for only the third time since 1999. In the process, Flacco was named AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
In eight games (six starts) last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco threw for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His 65.3% completion percentage matched a career high.
After the Colts went a different way in free agency, Flacco reunited with the Browns in April on a one-year deal worth up to $13 million with incentives.
Flacco was expected to win the starting job during training camp. Stefanski has long admired Flacco’s experience and steady hand under center.
“He’s the same guy every single day,” Stefanski said, via the AP. “I think that’s one of the things you admire about Joe is how he approaches his business.
“He’s done a really nice job in camp. He’s also done a really nice job just providing leadership to the quarterback room, to the offense, and to the football team.”
What Are the Expectations for Shedeur Sanders?
Sanders’ NFL future has been one of the most talked-about stories of the offseason. The fifth-round pick from Colorado has dealt with intensity scrutiny as the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders but was impressive before getting hurt. Sanders started the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers and went 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
With Sanders sidelined with a strained oblique, Gabriel (13-18, 143 yards, 1 INT) and Huntley (10-13, 71 yards) split reps in Saturday’s second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Assuming the Browns carry three quarterbacks, Sanders has a strong chance to make the 53-man roster. But he will need to get healthy, as time is winding down.
What is Joe Flacco Saying About Being the Browns Quarterback?
Flacco has yet to comment on being named the starter, but he did speak recently about having to ramp up despite limited work in camp. Practicing against the Eagles’ star-studded defense taught him some valuable lessons.
“I think it is hard when you’re only getting a couple reps here and there because it goes back to you try so hard to be perfect, and then usually you end up hurting yourself a little bit,” Flacco said, via the AP. But the last couple weeks, honestly it’s been pretty good for me.
“I’ve got to get more reps and get comfortable and feel like I’m doing things at a pretty high level. So, I can’t complain.”
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